Cleanup efforts along Pittsburgh Street in Springdale, Pennsylvania, have turned out to be more extensive than local volunteers initially expected. Just last Saturday, approximately 25 residents, town officials, high school football players, and members of the Key Club united to address concerns surrounding the upkeep of Springdale's main road. "The cleanup went great," remarked Councilwoman Toni Robbins. She noted, though, the scope of work was greater than they had anticipated, prompting plans for another day of cleaning this coming Saturday.
The clean-up crew, which included students, began the hard work at the Springdale Veterans Association and worked their way to School Street. "The students displayed great enthusiasm and hard work during the project," said Rachel Tinker, the adviser for Springdale High School’s Key Club. The students participated actively, collecting trash and clearing weeds along both sides of Pittsburgh Street.
They plan to meet again at 10 a.m. on Saturday to continue their efforts. Councilman Joe Kern expressed hopes of enlisting even more volunteers for this next phase, adding, "We’ve got a lot to do, and we’re definitely interested in getting more volunteers.” For those unable to join physically, Kern encouraged contributions of tools like shovels, rakes, and gloves. He stated, "We’re looking for anything," indicating supplies, monetary donations, or volunteer time would be welcomed.
This cleanup opportunity has also been quite eye-opening for Kern, who serves as the council’s chairman for code enforcement. He remarked on the various repairs needed around the area, which included broken windows, drains on streets, and issues with curbs. Kern noted, "Our goal is to bring the town back to how it used to be, where it was very vibrant." The initiative reflects the town’s overarching goal of revitalizing its streets and improving local community pride.
Many community members have stepped up to assist with the event. Mayor Joel Anderson and the Veterans Association provided lunch for the volunteers, and the Hope Group donated cases of water to keep everyone refreshed. The street department contributed by offering trash bags, ensuring volunteers could stay organized as they worked.
It was encouraging to observe such community spirit, Robbins commented. Looking to the future, both Robbins and Kern hope to make these cleanup events reoccurring. Kern stated his ambition: "Ideally, we’d like to start doing this every year." The route to restoring Springdale’s old charm is gaining momentum, one cleanup event at a time.
Shifting focus to Greensburg, another noteworthy event is set for Saturday evening: the Wicked Witches Gala. This witch-themed festival will transform South Pennsylvania Avenue between West Pittsburgh and West Fourth streets from 4-8 p.m. The Greensburg Business & Professional Association is hosting the gala, hoping to provide attendees with not just entertainment but engaging activities and local vendors.
This year's gala promises to be significantly larger than its 2023 predecessor. Amy Beeghly, president of the association, shared the sentiment: "We did a small little thing last year and said we wanted to do it bigger this year." With over 70 vendors expected to showcase their offerings, plus several food trucks enticing visitors with various culinary delights, the excitement for the event is palpable. Local restaurants are also being highlighted, as they may have special menu items related to the gala festivities.
Part of the fun includes interactive experiences; guests can have their photos taken with zombies and villains. There will also be performances by talented local groups, like the Hi-Def Band, Westmoreland Performing Arts, and the Dancing Witches of Westmoreland. Beeghly expressed enthusiasm for the excitement surrounding this gathering. “I think there’s a lot of excitement about this event,” she said.
Contest enthusiasts will find two engaging contests at the event—one for witches' hats and another for the best bewitching attire. Participants can register from 4 to 6:15 p.m., with judging set to occur at 6:30 p.m. for the hats, followed by costume judging at 7 p.m. Cash will be the only accepted form of payment for contest entries and the special Sinners’ Corner, which features games of chance and alcohol offerings; entries will cost $5.
Free shuttle services will run from Nicely Elementary School during the event hours to make accessing the gala easier for attendees. For more details, participants can check the Greensburg Business & Professional Association’s website, which features latest updates related to the gala.
Renatta Signorini, who has worked at the Trib since 2005, is the reporter covering this festive event. She can be reached at [email protected].
The recent community efforts seen both in Springdale and Greensburg highlight the active engagement of local residents. Whether participating in neighborhood cleanups or enjoying festive celebrations, the shared goal remains the same: to create vibrant, welcoming spaces for all who live there. With collaboration and enthusiasm, such community endeavors continue becoming more prominent across the Allegheny Valley, showcasing the resilience and creativity of its residents.
