❤️ In this Issue of Murrysville Local Scoop…

🙌 Franklin Regional Celebrates Two Decades of 'Giving Hope for the Holidays

Murrysville's Hot Chocolate Hikes Blend Nature with Sweet Comfort

🏀 Franklin Regional Boys' Basketball Maintains Perfect Record

Explore Murrysville: Staymates Cabin

🙌 Franklin Regional Celebrates Two Decades of 'Giving Hope for the Holidays

Franklin Regional High School is marking the 20th anniversary of its impactful fundraiser with the "Giving Hope for the Holidays" Holiday Telethon. This event, open to the public, promises to be a community-centric celebration combining fun and philanthropy.

Visitors can engage in various activities, such as participating in a raffle, contributing donations, or enjoying live performances between 9:00 AM and 12:00 PM. Attendees are encouraged to enter through the main entrance of the school building.

This telethon is a part of the student-run Mini-THON initiative at Franklin Regional, aligned with the Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance MaraTHON, renowned as the world's largest student-run philanthropy. For this landmark 20th year, FR Mini-THON has set an ambitious goal to raise over $20,000. The proceeds will support pediatric cancer research and patient care through the Four Diamonds fund and the Penn State Children's Hospital.

Four Diamonds is dedicated to the mission of conquering childhood cancer. They provide comprehensive care and support for approximately 600 children with cancer each year—100 who are newly diagnosed and 500 undergoing treatment. One of the significant benefits offered by Four Diamonds is that no family of a pediatric cancer patient at Penn State Health Children's Hospital is burdened with medical bills.

Proceeds from this year's telethon will be donated to Four Diamonds, aiding their vital work in pediatric oncology. The school expresses its profound gratitude to all participants and donors for supporting the student-led telethon and contributing to the vital cause of combating childhood cancer.

☕️ Cozy Trails Await: Murrysville's Hot Chocolate Hikes Blend Nature with Sweet Comfort

As winter embraces the town, the Recreation Department brings warmth and joy through its "Hot Chocolate Hikes" in the local parks and reserves. These delightful events, scheduled during the chillier months, offer residents the opportunity to explore the scenic trails of Murrysville's parks, with the added treat of enjoying delicious hot chocolate afterwards.

The first of these cozy excursions is set for Saturday, December 16, in partnership with the Westmoreland Conservancy at Tomer Reserve, a beautiful natural spot in Murrysville. This hike, like all others in the series, is free, though hikers are encouraged to register in advance.

Following the inaugural hike, there will be another on Monday, January 15, at Pleasant Valley Park, and a special "Sweetheart" Hot Chocolate Hike on Wednesday, February 14, at Murrysville Community Park. Each hike offers a unique chance to appreciate the local natural beauty and community spirit, all while sipping on warm hot chocolate.

🏀 Franklin Regional Boys' Basketball Maintains Perfect Record with 60-45 Win Over Hempfield

In a high-energy nonsection basketball game, Franklin Regional High School's boys' team maintained their unbeaten record, defeating Hempfield with a score of 60-45. The victory was largely thanks to the impressive performances of seniors Cam Rowell and Cooper Rankin, who each scored 21 points. The Panthers, known for their fast-paced gameplay, led the game right from the start, opening with a 7-0 run and never relinquishing the lead.

Their strategy of pushing the tempo proved effective against the Spartans, who, despite a spirited defense, struggled to keep up. Franklin Regional's scoring was consistent throughout the game, with a notable 11-4 run ending the first half and a 20-point surge in the third quarter. Other contributors to the win included Junior Connor Crossey with 10 points and several key 3-pointers.

Despite the victory, Panthers coach Jesse Reed expressed mixed feelings, praising the team's performance in the first three quarters but showing concern over two technical fouls in the fourth quarter. Hempfield, on their part, showed improvement in the fourth quarter, narrowing the gap with an 11-1 run. Their coach, Bill Swan, acknowledged the superior play of Franklin Regional, particularly highlighting Rankin's impact.

The win sets the stage for Franklin Regional's next challenge against Butler, a team previously ranked No. 1 in Class 6A, which coach Reed views as a significant test for his team.

Spotlight: Staymates Cabin Murrysville

Tucked away in Murrysville, the Staymates Cabin stands as a historical beacon, echoing tales of early American settlers and frontier life. This 2-story log cabin, located off of Roundtop Road, is not just an architectural relic; it's a portal to the past, offering a glimpse into the lives of those who shaped the region's early history.

The cabin's story begins in the 18th century, believed to have been built by Samuel Hoy (initially spelled Hoey) in the 1780s along the historic Forbes Road. It served various purposes, including being a rest stop for settlers moving west and a 'blockhouse' for defense against Native American attacks. The Staymates family, who purchased the property in 1852, turned this cabin into a home, raising their 12 children and operating a farm here until the early 1900s.

The last of the Staymates to inhabit the cabin was 'Miss Bessie', a well-known schoolteacher in Murrysville, who lived there until the early 1970s. Her decision to will the house and land to the Girl Scouts marked the beginning of a new chapter for the cabin. In 1977, the Municipality of Murrysville purchased the property, recognizing its historical significance.

The Murrysville Historical Preservation Society (MHPS), in collaboration with the Municipality, undertook the restoration of the Staymates Log House and Barn. Their efforts, culminating in 2016, have preserved the integrity of the structures, including the original house and the 1830s addition. Today, the Staymates Cabin is not just a preserved building; it's a living history lesson.

Visitors can reach the Staymates Cabin by heading east on Route 22 from Monroeville, turning right onto School Road South, and then onto Round Top Road. The cabin, a short distance down Roundtop Road, is accompanied by convenient parking at Staymates Court.

For those interested in delving deeper into the history of the Staymates Cabin or scheduling a tour, the Murrysville Historical and Preservation Society offers reservations and guided visits. They can be contacted via email at [email protected], by phone at 724-516-0126, or through their website at www.murrysvillehistory.com.

Upcoming Live Music

Red Barn Winery, 275 Manor Road, Salem
All music from 6-9 p.m. unless otherwise noted

• Dec. 15: Party of 2 Duet

• Dec. 16: Dennis Crawford

• Dec. 22: Peter Drew

• Dec. 23: Shakey and the Beers

• Dec. 29, 10 a.m.: Billy Postle

• Dec. 30: Tim Schmider

Joey’s the Edge, 5904 Washington Ave., Export
Weekly Tuesday Jam Session

• Every Tuesday, 8-11 p.m.: Hosted by Kenny Blake

Schoolhouse Tavern, 2001 Main Street, Penn Township’s Claridge neighborhood

• Dec. 16, 9 p.m.: Double Take

Tuesday, December 12, 2023

• 3:30 PM: Boys Freshman Basketball vs. Hempfield (Away @ Harrold Middle School)

• 3:30 PM: Unified Bocce vs. Gateway (Away @ Gateway High School)

• 6:00 PM: Boys Junior Varsity Basketball vs. Hempfield (Away @ Hempfield High School)

• 7:15 PM: Middle School Hockey vs. Connellsville (Away @ Ice Mine)

• 7:30 PM: Boys Varsity Basketball vs. Hempfield (Away @ Hempfield High School)

Wednesday, December 13, 2023

• 3:00 PM: Boys Varsity Bowling vs. Redeemer Lutheran (Home)

• 3:00 PM: Girls Varsity Bowling vs. Redeemer Lutheran (Home)

• 4:00 PM: Boys 8th Grade Basketball vs. Greater Latrobe High School (Home)

• 5:00 PM: Boys 7th Grade Basketball vs. Greater Latrobe (Home)

Thursday, December 14, 2023

• 3:00 PM: Boys Varsity Bowling vs. Plum (Home)

• 3:00 PM: Girls Varsity Bowling vs. Plum (Home)

• 5:00 PM: Varsity Swimming vs. Gateway (Home)

• 6:00 PM: Girls Junior Varsity Basketball vs. Woodland Hills (Home)

• 7:30 PM: Girls Varsity Basketball vs. Woodland Hills (Home)

Friday, December 15, 2023

• 3:30 PM: Boys Freshman Basketball vs. Indiana (Home)

• 4:00 PM: Boys 8th Grade Basketball vs. Hempfield (Away @ Wendover MS)

• 5:00 PM: Boys 7th Grade Basketball vs. Hempfield (Away @ Wendover MS)

• 6:00 PM: Boys Junior Varsity Basketball vs. Butler (Home)

• 7:30 PM: Boys Varsity Basketball vs. Butler (Youth Recognition, Home)

Saturday, December 16, 2023

• 9:00 AM: Varsity Wrestling at Jason Eades Memorial Duals (Away @ Point Pleasant High School)

Monday, December 18, 2023

• 3:00 PM: Unified Bocce vs. Burrell (Home)

• 4:00 PM: Boys 8th Grade Basketball vs. Indiana (Home)

• 5:00 PM: Boys 7th Grade Basketball vs. Indiana (Home)

• 6:00 PM: Girls Junior Varsity Basketball vs. Plum (Away @ Plum Senior High School)

• 6:30 PM: Varsity Hockey vs. Armstrong (Home)

• 7:30 PM: Girls Varsity Basketball vs. Plum (Away @ Plum Senior High School)

Tuesday, December 19, 2023

• 3:30 PM: Boys Freshman Basketball vs. Kiski Area (Home)

• 6:00 PM: Boys Junior Varsity Basketball vs. Woodland Hills (Away @ Woodland Hills High School)

• 7:30 PM: Boys Varsity Basketball vs. Woodland Hills (Away @ Woodland Hills High School)

Wednesday, December 20, 2023

• 3:00 PM: Boys Varsity Bowling vs. Gateway (Home)

• 3:00 PM: Girls Varsity Bowling vs. Gateway (Home)

• 4:00 PM: Boys 8th Grade Basketball vs. Kiski Area (Away @ Kiski Intermediate School)

• 5:00 PM: Varsity Swimming vs. Fox Chapel (Home)

• 5:00 PM: Junior High Wrestling vs. West Mifflin (Away @ West Mifflin High School)

• 5:00 PM: Boys 7th Grade Basketball vs. Kiski Area (Away @ Kiski Intermediate School)

• 7:00 PM: Varsity Wrestling vs. West Mifflin (Away @ West Mifflin High School)

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