Monongahela Area Historical Society selling 2021 calendars

By ERIC SEIVERLING
eseiverling@yourmvi.com

If you want to relive Monongahela’s 250th celebration from 2019, the Monongahela Area Historical Society has just the ticket for you.
The society is now selling 2021 calendars that feature an entire year’s worth of Monongahela photos — especially the four-day celebration in August last year that marked the city’s special anniversary.
The calendar is being sold as a fundraiser to help the society pay for renovations to its Longwell House as well as other functions that have been canceled because of the COVID pandemic.
“It’s the first time we’ve done a calendar,” said the historical society’s treasurer Carol Frye. “People were so appreciative of the 250th celebration. This will give people something warm and fuzzy during the pandemic.”
Organized by the nonprofit group Monongahela 250, the city’s official celebration occurred four days in August with concerts, fireworks, lightshows, a time capsule opening and decorating contests.
To commemorate the occasion, the historical society hired photographers Wayne Ray, Chris Grilli and Sammy Kowall of Mon Valley Drone to capture all the fun and festivities. The front cover features a photo by Rich Pantaleo of Mon Valley Photo Works.
“We just knew we needed to document what was going on,” said Frye. “We started a few months ago the long process of what looks good. We have three discs worth of pictures. We missed out on a lot of fun because we were so busy and never got to see it. We’d see a photo and say ‘Wow, I forgot that happened.’ It was a nice stroll down memory lane.”
Eleven of the 12 months feature photos from the 250th celebration. The month of October features restaurant Angelo’s II and its larger-than-life Halloween decoration from the movie “Ghostbusters.”
“A lot of people might view the calendar as collectible because of the pictures,” Frye said.
But ultimately, Frye and the historical society hope the calendar serves as a remembrance of a special moment for the city.
“There were a lot of people who came home from around the country to attend,” Frye said. “There have been people who relocated here after it happened. There were class reunions that coincided with the event. It was a big deal.”
The cost for the calendar is $20 plus tax and can be ordered at www.mahs-pa.org or by calling 724-258-6432. A special is being offered of buy five and get one free. Calendars will also be available at Devore Hardware, Sweets by Mrs. C, Angelo’s II, Main Street Gypsy and the Just 4 You Gift Shop. Proceeds support The Monongahela Area Historical Society.