THE SOCIETY
NEWS
All the latest information
on the Monroeville
Historical Society.
k
holiday fun
Tree Lighting Ceremony
and Program
F
or 40 years the Monroeville
Historical Society and the
Monroeville Chorus have planned
a Tree Lighting Program to kick-off the
community of Monroeville’s holiday
season. It is also a long-standing tradition
to invite Boy and Girl Scout troops to make
ornaments and hang them on the pine
tree in front of the 122-year-old Old Stone
Church.
The public is invited to enjoy the
evening that begins at 7 p.m. the Tuesday
before Thanksgiving – this year, Nov. 22.
The program starts with the Monroeville
Chorus singing while walking in a
procession to the altar, where they will lead
the attendees in singing Christmas carols
and seasonal songs.
After the program, the visitors exit
the Pittsburgh History & Landmarks
Foundation treasure, located on Stroschein
Road near Miracle Mile Shopping Center,
to watch the Scouts decorate the tree.
Afterward, Santa Claus will be ready to hear
the children’s toy requests inside the church
while good wishes for a holiday season are
exchanged.
38 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE | Monroeville
All are welcome to this free program, but
seating is limited so arrive early!
For more information, call Dick
McClain at 724.325.1435 or log-on to
monroevillehistorical.org.
— By Marilyn K. Wempa
Monroeville Historical
Society Hosts Third
Annual Holiday Light Tour
Join your neighbors and friends for a bus
tour to see the wonderful holiday lights of
Monroeville! Every year residents go allout to decorate for the holidays, so enjoy
seeing their work by taking a handicapped
accessible bus trip with the Monroeville
Historical Society to some of the bestdecorated neighborhoods.
During the evening, participants can
also relax by making crafts, whether
they are young or young at heart, having
refreshments, listening to holiday music
and finding fellowship before or after their
one-hour bus trip. They can also learn
about local history from a historical society
member. Residents
should make sure their
own Christmas lights
are turned on that
evening in case the
bus pays a visit to their
neighborhood!
Last year’s Holiday
Light Tours were nearly sold out so
reserve your space early! Tours benefit the
Monroeville Historical Society. The bus
tours are tentatively scheduled for Saturday,
Dec. 17, at 6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. The holiday
gathering will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Donations
for the tour are $10 per adult, $5 for seniors
and children age 12 and under (payable
at the event). Visit monroevillehistorical.
org or call 412.856.1000 in November
for the final schedule and location,
and to register for the bus ride. Email
[email protected] or call
412.856.1000 to register for a tour. If you
are unable to make your reservation, please
let the society know so it can make your seat
available to someone else.
— By Heidi Beam
MHS Promotes Heritage
Day Festival at Celebrate
Monroeville
Monroeville Historical Society
members used colorful displays, fliers,
re-enactors and slide photos to promote
its Heritage Day Festival at Celebrate
Monroeville. President Bob Elms chose
the theme for the organization’s October
event. Pioneer costumed re-enactor Henry
Bowden, with his antique rifle, and town
crier Nate Dunlop distributed Heritage
Day fliers to visitors at the Monroeville
Convention Center while directing
them to visit the MHS booth. The booth
displayed original artwork by Debbie
Walker illustrating various Heritage Day
activities, with figures on material squares,
a trifold photo poster of the MHS annual
event by photographer Marilyn Wempa,
a scarecrow made by Dan McClain at last
year’s event, and a slideshow of photos
from the MHS website archives compiled
by Jason Beam. Visitors and members
Joe Ventresca, Dan McClain and Donna
Ciarcinski enjoyed having their photos
taken with the straw-filled decoration.
MHS events chair Mary Lou Span and
Bob Elms thank all who participated in the
Celebrate Monroeville activities.
— By Marilyn K. Wempa
For more information on historical
society events and membership,
visit MonroevilleHistorical.org.