Etna Community Day brightens dog days of summer

Etna’s annual Community Day was smack dab in the middle of what are commonly referred to as the dog days of summer — July 3 to Aug. 11 each year and usually the hottest days of the season.

But one way to beat the dog days is to take a dip in the pool or find things that are a fun distraction. All of that and more could be found at the event put on by the Etna Neighborhood Association on Aug. 5 at the community playground and swimming pool. There were games — including a kids basketball shooting contest — and activities for all ages, entertainment, food and swimming.

“There are kids’ craft tables and that’s all free, they can swim for free and they’re having a blast, look how crowded the pool is,” Etna Neighborhood Association president Vickey Trader said. “The pool had money thrown in and the kids dive in and get money. Usually if you ride down here on a regular day, maybe 25 or 30 people are in the pool. This is great.”

The pool wasn’t the only spot that was crowded as plenty of young people showed up to take part in an informal skills competition at the dek hockey rink. It was part of an effort by Etna councilwoman Danielle Rothmeyer-McElhaney to drum up enthusiasm for the sport’s potential return to Etna, which once had a thriving program.

“We’ve had a lot of interested people coming through here,” Rothmeyer-McElhaney said. “We were able to get some people to register. We actually found some people who are interested in coaching and reffing. We had some older kids interested in three-on-three. We’ve never tried that before on this dek, but we’re willing to try. There’s a place for everybody here.”

If all goes well, Rothmeyer-McElhaney said they’re hoping to have their first game on Sept. 9.

One of the more unusual attractions at Etna Community Day was the Allegheny County Park Rangers booth featuring fox furs and a large snapping turtle shell.

“It gives people a connection to our natural resources,” Ranger Tyler Loper said. “Typically you can’t go up and pet a wild fox, but this gives people an opportunity to get close and personal. Foxes have the softest fur of any animal around here.”