Weekend Features - 2/10/2013

Jeff Clark of Uniontown spends an afternoon fishing at Hutchinson Sportsman's Club in South Union Township, Saturday afternoon. Clark has been a member for over 20 years and says "If I ain't fishing; I'm hunting."

Nick Ludi of Uniontown makes the most of Saturday's milder weather to take his two Golden Doodle dog breeds Anneka and Tinker Bell for a walk through the creek at Hutchinson Park in South Union Township.

Idlewild Park receives historical recognition

ACE Historian David Hahner Jr. (left) and Idlewild Park
General Manager Brandon Leonatti unveil the new marker
at Idlewild Park along Route 30 on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2012.

Idlewild Park, a longtime staple of Southwest Pennsylvania’s entertainment industry, received a new honor on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2012 with the dedication of a new roadside plaque in honor of the park’s history.

In recognition of the park’s 135th operating season, the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission has honored Idlewild with an official historic marker, placed along Route 30, by one of the park’s exits. Idlewild has already received national attention with its current distinction as World’s Best Children’s Park, a title formerly held by Legoland California.

An official dedication ceremony was held Saturday morning with speeches from Jeffrey S. Croushore; Sales and Public Relations Manager for Idlewild, Jean Craige Pepper; Commissioner for the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, and David Hahner Jr. of the American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE) who first nominated the park for its historical distinction in 2010.

Hahner, a historian for ACE, stated in an interview following the dedication that the nomination process began during a weekend at Idlewild with Croushore showing him the park’s first Golden Ticket Award and talking about how he had been toying with the idea of nominating the park’s Rollo Coaster (sic) for the title of an ACE Coaster Landmark.

“We began talking about different historical markers... and at that point I said ‘Well you guys don’t have a state historic marker yet and you’re older than Kennywood,’” said Hahner.

Hahner began working with Croushore, who also authored an “Images of America” book on Idlewild in 2004, over the two-year process by supplying extensive amounts of information and history to the PA Historical and Museum Commission to receive the marker. Croushore himself stated that the event resonates with him personally.

“I grew up coming to Idlewild and I have so many special family memories: My first roller coaster ride, gathering around the picnic tables throughout the grounds and just a lot of lifetime family memories which make it a very special event for me and everyone here at the park,” said Croushore.

The trademark navy-blue and gold plaque reads as follows:

Idlewild Park

The longest-operating amusement park in Pa. and among the oldest in the nation. In 1878, Thomas Mellon leased land along his Ligonier Valley Railroad hoping to increase passenger traffic by opening a picnic ground. Amusement rides began to be added in the 1890s; several rides from the 1930s continue to operate today. Surviving the railroad closure, two World Wars and the Great Depression, Idlewild provides nationally recognized family recreation.

Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission 2012©

Happy New Year! - 1/1/2013

Tristan McCoy, 6, of Uniontown speeds down the hills at Areford Park in South Union Township on his new snowboard overseen by his grandfather Tom McCoy on New Years Day.

Alexander Edwards (front), 5, and his cousin Tristan McCoy, 6, both of Uniontown, speed down the hills at Areford Park in South Union Township on his new snowboard overseen by their grandfather Tom McCoy on New Years Day.

Kayla Clark of Masontown lays with her newborn baby boy, Austin Channing Lee Senseney, along with the baby's father, Josh Senseney, at Uniontown Hospital on New Years Day. Austin, 7-pounds, 15-ounces, was born New Years Day at 12:01 A.M..

Nikia Harris of Gates stands alongside her newborn baby boy, Chase Michael Harris, along with the baby's grandfather, Belmont Forsythe, at Uniontown Hospital on New Years Day. Chase, 3-pounds, 14-ounces, was born New Years Day at 12:59 A.M..

Weekend Features, Xmas Events - 12/9/2012

Santa rolls in aboard a Fayette Central Railroad train along with conductor Henry Sobota of Armburst during the Christmas in the Park event at Dunbar Playground, Saturday afternoon.

Jerry Yealey, 7, of Vanderbilt plays a game of holiday ringtoss during the Christmas in the Park event at Dunbar Playground, Saturday afternoon.

Jadyn Tesauro, 3, of Vanderbilt succeeds in tossing a ball through the holiday wreath during the Christmas in the Park event at Dunbar Playground, Saturday afternoon.

Ashley Minerd, 11, of Lemont Furnace is assisted aboard a Fayette Central Railroad trail during the Christmas in the Park event at Dunbar Playground, Saturday afternoon.

Davey Black, 3, of South Connellsville receives a gift of Candy from Santa at the South Connellsville Christmas event Saturday night.

Mackenzie Haky, 3, of Connellsville is introduced to Olive the Reindeer at the South Connellsville Christmas event Saturday night.

Katie Sutton, 16, Smithfield serenades visitors to the Fairchance Christmas Event with "Canon in D" on the harp at the Fairchance Volunteer Fire Department, Saturday evening.

Weekend Features - 12/02/2012

Carson Luick, 2, of Uniontown meets Judge Santa during the Magic and Mistletoe event at the Fayette County Courthouse in Uniontown, Saturday night.

Alivia Andria, 4, of Brownsville decorates a cookie during the Magic and Mistletoe event at the Fayette County Courthouse in Uniontown, Saturday night. The cookie decorating was sponsored by the Fayette County Career and Technical Institute.

Ashton Klink (left), 9 and Caleb Smith, 6, both of Uniontown make the most of Saturday's warm weather by playing four square at Areford Park in South Union Township. Klink managed to score several points despite having never played the game before.

Bill Kruper (left) and his friend Frank Vaslavsky, both of Uniontown, make the most of Monday afternoon's sunshine as they engage in a friendly game of tennis with their friends at Areford Park in South Union Township, Monday afternoon.

Ramaree Murray, 2, of Uniontown and his mother Marissa take advantage of Saturday's warm weather by playing on the seesaw at Hutchinson Park in South Union Township.

Weekend Features - 11/18/2012

Joey Pugliesi, 8, of Hopwood expresses his wish for an iPod to Santa at Hopwood's annual Light Up Night, Friday evening.

Maddox McAllister, 5, and his mother Shannon of Uniontown make bird feeders out of pine cones, peanut butter and birdseed at Hopwood's annual Light Up Night, Friday evening.

Jacob Johnston, 16, of Uniontown intercepts a pass from his friends at Hutchinson Park, Friday afternoon. Johnston is a sophomore at Laurel Highlands Area High School where he plays Defensive End for the Mustangs.

Morgan Curstead of Uniontown and her daughter Jorja Martin, 6, ride bikes along the trails at Eberly Park in North Union Township, Sunday afternoon. Morgan and Jorja, along with their family, gathered at the park for a picnic under the warm sunshine of the day.

Mike Bucknak (center), 18, of Uniontown leaps for two points against his friends Trevor Spiker (left) and Cody Willczynski at Eberly Park in North Union Township, Sunday afternoon. Buchnak is a senior at Laurel Highlands High School where he plays baseball for the Mustangs.

Weekend Features - 10/28/2012

Latrelle Polk, 6, of Uniontown practices his batting with his stepfather Jamie Ray at Bailey Park in Uniontown, Monday afternoon. Polk just finished his first season with the R.W. Clark Indians and is looking forward to a second.

Kaydence Mehls (left), 7, of Hopwood and her friend Madison Reynolds, 6, of Fairchance work together to scale the jungle gym at Hutchinson Park in South Union Township, Monday afternoon.