the almanac J U N E 29, 2025
SOUTH HILLS COMMUNITY NEWS
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Firecracker Friday PENNSYLVANIA TROLLEY MUSEUM EARNS HONORS FOR USE OF SOLAR ENERGY PAGE A5
Fireworks will fill the skies over the South Hills this Fourth of July as residents celebrate the nation’s 249th birthday.
BETHEL PARK GRAD PETRAS BIDDING BASEBALL GOODBYE PAGE B1
Region set to celebrate Fourth of July By Eleanor Bailey Almanac Sports Editor ebailey@thealmanac.net
TGIF takes on a whole new meaning as the Fourth of July falls on a Friday this year and the region is prepared for the three-day holiday weekend with parades, road races and, of course, spectacular fireworks displays. Visitors to Brentwood and Canonsburg can celebrate the nation’s 249th birthday and enjoy the entire day within the confines of the boroughs as both offer all three events and then some. Brentwood kicks off festivities one day early. On July 3, there will be a Battle of the Barrel along Brownsville Road between Marylea and Munsey avenues. Volunteer fire companies compete in this annual tradition. Both Brentwood and Canonsburg host a 5K run prior to its annual parades. The 42nd Brentwood Firecracker 5K Race is one of the largest, longest running, not to mention most popular run in the tri-state area, attracting more than SEE FOURTH PAGE A2
LEBO MUSIC EDUCATOR FINALIST FOR PA TEACHER OF THE YEAR PAGE B3 What’s happening, B3 Real estate transactions, A4 ELEANOR BAILEY/THE ALMANAC
They will be dancing in the streets of Brentwood and Canonsburg when the boroughs hold their annual Fourth of July parades. The cavalcades step off at 10 a.m. July 4.
Classifieds, B4-6
Forty years of farming and fun Triple B Farms celebrates four decades in business By Paul Paterra Staff writer
ppaterra@observer-reporter.com
Everything’s coming up roses for Carolyn and Ron Beinlich, owners of Triple B Farms. Or should that be “strawberries?” For the past 40 years, the couple have operated the popular farm that has been a destination for area families, Scout troops and other organizations for its pick-your-own fruits and vegetables, children’s activities, farm animals and fall pumpkin festival. With a mailing address of at 823 Berry Lane, Monongahela, the farm actually rests in Allegheny County. “It went fast; it really did,” Carolyn Beinlich said of being in business for four decades. “We have said the only reason we made it is that we were too hard-headed to quit. Quite honestly, when I look back I don’t know how we did it.” Triple B Farms also sells wholesale produce to many grocery stores in the region. “It’s a labor of love, for both of us,” said Ron Beinlich. Carolyn admitted there were struggles early on as they worked to get their footing. “It was a long, hard road,” said her husband. “Because we’re so isolated, we had a hard time attracting customers here. It happened slowly, but in the end it turned out to be very good. People like to come to the farm now.”
The Peters Township Public Library
Peters Township Public Library eyes renovations By Jon Andreassi Staff writer PAUL PATERRA/OBSERVER-REPORTER
Carolyn and Ron Beinlich have been operating Triple B Farms since 1985.
Ron Beinlich studied metallurgical engineering at what is now Carnegie Mellon University and worked for U.S. Steel as a manager. In 1967, while at U.S. Steel, he purchased the property that included a house. “It was an abandoned farm, and it was a disaster,” he said. “Therefore, it was a price I could afford at the time. The bankers laughed at me when I said I was going to restore that house.” They started out in three livable rooms, said Ron. “Now the home has
four bedrooms. A full downstairs living room, dining room, family room and kitchen. It’s a nice house.” In the early days, the farm was called West Bend Stock Farm, a place where Ron raised beef cattle. As the steel industry was collapsing in Pittsburgh, Ron and Carolyn used his severance pay to plant the farm’s first strawberry crop. SEE FARMS PAGE A2
jandreassi@observer-reporter.com
The Peters Township Public Library may have a multimillion-dollar renovation in its future. Lacey Love, the library’s directors, and representatives of HBM Architects appeared before Peters council Monday night to present a recently completed study on how the 30,000-square-foot building could be used more efficiently.
Last year, council approved a $45,550 contract for the Cleveland, Ohio-based HBM to conduct a “library space assessment” project. Renee Downing of HBM told council that more than 240 responded to a survey and an in-person work session as part of the project. “There was a need to continue to be community-centered, respond to growing population size and diversity of need,” Downing said. SEE LIBRARY PAGE A2