the almanac D E C E M B E R 14, 2025
SOUTH HILLS COMMUNITY NEWS
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NEW AND IMPROVED
Bethel Park tree-lighting event receives positive reviews By Eleanor Bailey ebailey@thealmanac.net
Change can be a positive thing. Just ask the crowd that attended the annual Tree Lighting Celebration in Bethel Park. The free community event expanded duration and activities. From 3 to 7 p.m. on Dec. 6 visitors to the recreation center could visit with Santa Claus and mingle with the Grinch and Elf while participating in activities from writing letters to Santa, sipping hot chocolate, playing reindeer games to viewing displays of gingerbread houses. “Things went really well, and I think our staff did a wonderful job,” said Bethel Park Council President John Oakes. “The expanded hours and expanded activities meant for a very busy day. There was a little bit of everything for everyone. So, I think it was a big hit.” In addition to the regular gingerbread displays, area businesses supported that with cardboard houses, and the final marketplace of the year was held in the community room for shoppers searching for last-minute gifts and food items. There was a Lego display as well as a Mad Science exhibit. Sheila Carr attends the event annually. As she watched her children Ruthie and Nora Carr along with Owen Ayimbota visit with Santa Claus, Carr endorsed the changes. “It’s wonderful. New and improved,” she said. “Everything is spread out
PHOTOS BY ELEANOR BAILEY
ABOVE: Owen Ayimbota, Nora Carr and Ruthie Carr pose for a photo with Santa during the tree-lighting celebration in Bethel Park. BELOW: Carson Fritz handles an ornament while his mother, Jackie, admires the Christmas tree at the Bethel Park community recSabrina Arnold helps her son Maverick make slime at the reation center during the municipality’s annual light-up event held Dec. 6. Mad Science exhibit while her other children, Gemma (left) and Blaze, look on during festivities at the annual Bethel Park Light-up Night event held Nov. 6 at the community recreation center.
and it’s not crowded. There’s lots of variety and options for all ages.” Anthony Rowsick was sure to help his son, James, compose a letter and mail it to Santa. It was the first year that he attended the event. “It’s very nice,” he said. “We liked the Legos display and the hot chocolate.” At approximately 6:30 p.m. Mayor Jack Allen with the assistance of Santa and the children turned on the switch that lit up the tree, decorated with garland and enormous ornaments. The tree will be on
display in the community room throughout the holiday season. Sabrina and Evan Arnold wouldn’t miss the experience with their children, Maverick, Gemma and Blaze. They coordinated their visit around the ceremony. “We love this,” she said. The Arnolds embraced the changes. “It was so easy to get to see Santa compared to past years. Kids loved that,” Sabrina said. “We love the extra activities and ability to spread out. It was very nicely set up and thought through.”
Magic moments
Peters Township votes to negotiate with EMS providers
Peters Township shares spirit of the season By Eleanor Bailey ebailey@thealmanac.net
Peters Township presented an enchanted evening for believers in Santa and all the sparkle of the season when it held its annual Holiday Kickoff Celebration on Dec. 5 at the community and recreation center located in Peterswood Park. “Lots of Christmas magic here,” said Peters Township recreation supervisor Kristen Martin. Activities were positioned throughout the recreation center and gymnasium. The library set up crafts for the children, members of the police and fire department supervised games while volunteers distributed gift bags containing coloring books, crayons, gifts and prizes. Letters to Santa were composed and mailed, and if accompanied by a return address, would be personally answered. There were numerous inflatables with which to interact and play. Plenty of hot
By Jon Andreassi
jandreassi@observer-reporter.com
chocolate and cookies were consumed. The main attraction, however, was Santa Claus. “When the kids are with Santa their eyes light up and they’re all excited,” Martin said. “That’s the best thing about this.” Mary Judy Stewart agreed. A Peters Township resident since 1995, she has volunteered at the event for at least six years, serving right next to Santa. “I love seeing the kids and how excited they are,” said Stewart. “They all have different reactions to Santa. Some run right up to him. Others are like ‘forget it’ and they want nothing to do with him and they scream. Some sit down and tell him what they want in a very, very, very serious manner.” Before retiring, Stewart led a life similar to the parents in attendance. An educator, she taught at Pathfinder School. With her special education background, she continues to serve as a consultant and substitutes on occasion in Upper
LOCATION P.T. students collect gifts for military PAGE A6 What’s happening, B3
PHOTOS BY ELEANOR BAILEY
Lina Berndt, 2, squeezes Rudoph’s red nose at a display at the Peters Township community recreation center. Berndt was one of the many children who attended the annual holiday kick-off event that featured a visit from Santa.
St. Clair. A Bethel Park native, Stewart has two grown children, Lisa and John. Zouka Abraham appreciated the experience. She has attended the event for three years with her daughters, Carmen and Myriam, and now her infant son, Giovanni. “It’s all good, organized and beautiful,” she said. “I like the center and all the activities they do for us.” For Jamie Lynn, the Holiday Kick-off is a tradition. She, too, has attended for three
years, the first time when her son, Landon, was 3 months old. “This is awesome and he loves it,” she said. “We just want to keep this going. We’re here to start making family traditions.” While Santa patiently listened to all the desires of the children, from Barbie houses and American girl dolls, to bicycles, ice skates and even frogs, he didn’t fret about the abundant requests, nor the SEE MAGIC PAGE A2
Peters Township council voted Dec. 8 to negotiate potential contracts with two outside EMS providers, signaling the end of the longstanding local ambulance service. An initial motion to only negotiate with Allegheny Health Network, which operates Canonsburg EMS, failed after a 3-3 tie. Tom Pirosko, Gary Stiegel Jr. and Frank Kosir Jr. voted against the motion. Council member Matt Rost was absent from Monday’s meeting. Council then voted unanimously to enter into negotiations with both AHN and UPMC, which operates Ambulance & Chair. Ambulance services in the township have been offered by Peters Township EMS, which is owned and operated by Memorial Park Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 764, since 1963. Peters Township EMS also provides service to Finleyville and Nottingham Township. The VFW has previously stated that it can no longer
financially support the ambulance service. Both AHN and UPMC have indicated to township officials they would purchase Peters Township EMS’ vehicles and equipment. Prior to casting his vote against solely negotiating with AHN, Pirosko expressed that UPMC may be a better fit for Peters. “I do think there is a significant advantage with Ambulance & Chair with those resources – staffing, financially and education. It’s the largest health system in Pittsburgh,” Pirosko said. Pirosko is the chief of emergency medicine services at UPMC Washington and UPMC Greene. Pirosko said he asked the township solicitor if his voting on the matter represented a conflict of interest. “I gave him the opinion, in the past and this evening, based on facts he provided that he can cast a vote. In fact, (Allison Shanafelt) is in the same boat,” said John Smith at the Dec. 10 meeting. “Looking that they’re not a SEE EMS PAGE A2
SPORTS P.T. guard reaches milestone PAGE B1
SIGHTS & SOUNDS Cookie Exchange successful PAGE B3
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Real estate transactions, A5