the almanac S E P T E M B E R 28, 2025
SOUTH HILLS COMMUNITY NEWS
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LUTHERAN CHURCH TO HOST CENTENNIAL CONCERT EVENT PAGE A2
PHOTOS: ELEANOR BAILEY/THE ALMANAC
Bethel Park tennis members from left (front) Kaylee Tietz, Brielle Cheatle, Hadley Murello (back) Mia Hogue, Mackenzie Smock, Samira Gorman, Laura Casaldi, Maddie Masztak, Brooklyn Nagel and Cassie Sierka sold chrysanthemums as their fundraiser during community day activities.
A special event
BP community day offered something for everyone
UPPER ST. CLAIR HOSTS SOUTH FAYETTE IN CONFERENCE CLASH PAGE B1
By Eleanor Bailey Almanac Staff Writer ebailey@thealmanac.net
When Bethel Park extended an invitation to “everyone” to attend its annual community day, the municipality meant everybody. Residents and families from neighboring townships even enjoyed the festivities held Sept. 20. Adi Chandra of Upper St. Clair brought his daughter, Naumi, because he said it was “close by” and he has friends who live in Bethel Park. “We’re next to neighbors,” he added. Wyatt Kozak hailed from Mt. Lebanon and his guardians, Ann and Jerry Kopach, reside in Upper St. Clair. “We needed to get him out of the house,” said Ann. “I knew they were having community day because I grew up in Bethel Park.” Ann settled in Upper St. Clair because Jerry bought his parents’ house, the home in which he grew up. “I love Bethel,” Ann said, “and community day is great, too. It just brings everybody together and the kids love it.”
A young angler checks out his haul after fishing for ducks in a pond at Bethel Park community day.
MAN OVERSEES LARGE COLLECTION OF APPALACHIAN MEDIA PAGE B1
While Wyatt enjoyed testing his hockey skills – he plays for the South Hills Amateur Hockey Association, which sponsors a league that plays at the adjacent Spencer Family YMCA – all ages engaged in an array of entertainment and activities that kicked off with a parade down main street, Library Avenue, in Bethel Park and proceeded to the high school campus.
What’s happening, B3 Real estate transactions, A6 Classifieds, B4-6
Claire Kurta enjoys playing in a tub of bubble balls complete with SEE DAY PAGE A2 a red fox inflatable during Bethel Park community day activities.
South Fayette carnival fun for all By Eleanor Bailey Almanac Staff Writer ebailey@thealmanac.net
South Fayette advertises its annual homecoming carnival as a “fun-for-all-ages” activity and Sham Dhonde couldn’t agree more. He brought his daughter, Liliana, and son, Sham Jr., to the stadium on Sept. 18 for the event, which is a key fundraiser for many of the high school’s clubs, organizations and athletic teams. “Being able to take the kids to a safe place where they can enjoy themselves is wonderful,” he said. “The events aren’t expensive and pricey, and the kids really get to enjoy themselves and have fun.” Sham Jr. said, “I love it. There’s so many games to play and you get prizes,” he added. South Fayette high school boys’ basketball coach David Mislan laughed because he has witnessed the sheer pleasure children get from winning a lollipop. Prizes were a little more elaborate at the hoop booth manned by Mislan’s players, including Ryan Gupta, Connor Boland and Logan Brezler. “It’s fun seeing the faces of the kids and how happy they are. They love carnival,” Mislan said. “The turnout from the community is fantastic,
COURTESY OF ALEX BYERS
Kentuck Knob in Fayette County offers a great vantage point to view fall foliage. PHOTOS: ELEANOR BAILEY/THE ALMANAC
Jackson and Savannah Bremner negotiate a maze in an inflatable during the South Fayette High School carnival.
and it’s always a good sign when you see everyone having fun. “OK, sure, it is a fundraiser for each of the school’s groups but the community interaction is also a bonus. Anytime the little kids can get with the big kids, they always have a good time and it’s a big positive.” Sponsored annually by the South Fayette High School Student Government, the carnival is a community-building and fundraising activity in celebration of Homecoming. In addition to high school clubs and organiAarush Thakkar tosses a pitch while Vedh Erukula zations, booster groups also watches his aim during a game at the South Fayette High School carnival. SEE FUN PAGE A3
Peak peeping
Laurel Highlands again ranked as a top destination for fall colors By Paul Paterra Staff writer
ppaterra@observer-reporter.com
Leaf peepers will be given a new tool to plan their autumn sojourns throughout Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) launched a redesigned weekly fall foliage report on Sept. 25. It will feature regional updates, photos and tips to help people experience Pennsylvania’s seasonal landscapes.
The report will be posted every Thursday during peak foliage season. To access, visit pa.gov/agencies/dcnr/ conservation and click on the forests and trees tab. “Whether you’re camping in one of Pennsylvania’s 124 state parks, hiking through our 2.2 million acres of state forests or taking a scenic drive, fall is one of the best times to experience the outdoors,” said Cindy Adams Dunn, DCNR secretary. “This new report SEE FALL PAGE A2