Melvin Francis Skindzier graduated from Pittsburgh’s Central Catholic High School in 1953; then he joined the Navy to see the world. He did. He was 6’2” and self-described as “lean and mean.” He was. He skipped Korea and went on a Mediterranean cruise on the U.S.S. New Jersey to Italy, Portugal, Spain, England, Scotland, Sweden and Norway. He was a Fire Control Technician. He was not concerned with putting out fires but controlling the firing of the munitions on board.

When he got honorably discharged from the Navy, he went out west to Alburquerque, New Mexico to stay with a Navy pal for a while. When he came back to Pittsburgh, he worked during the day and went to night school at Duquesne University. He studied Accounting in the School of Business Administration.

He met Frannie Figura in the cafeteria in the new Rockwell Hall in 1960. She was also a night school student but had a Management major; she worked during the day at US Steel. They married during the semester break on January 28, 1961; the rest is family history.

It’s a great picnic location.

We have three private groves at the top of the hill in South Park: Circleview, Maryland and Vista.

Vista has a great view, but it is down the hill from the other two groves and does not have any parking or road extension leading up to it. There are only four tables.

Maryland is the grove on top of the hill near the restroom facilities. It is flat and a great place to drop off those who are not agile to sit down at one of the seven picnic tables. This grove has the electric power and the origin of the music.

Circleview has a great view of the site and has seven tables also. You are able to keep a close eye on kids on the swings and the flat games area.

These groves are not only private, they also are a great combination of sunny and shady. If you want to sit in the sun – or the shade – or both, please bring your beach or lawn chairs and enjoy the afternoon.

There will be music. (Courtesy of Zach Esch)
There will be games. (To be figured out)
There will be great conversations with family and friends.
Be prepared to eat, drink, and be merry!

Coming off Route 88 — Library Road (going South) straight into the park entrance puts you on Corrigan Drive. Go .4 mile past the skating rink (300 Corrigan Dr, Bethel Park, PA 15102). Look for the stop sign facing the other way and the party sign. Make a right into the parking lot and proceed straight up the hill for 1/10 mile to the Y in the road. Make a left on to Twin Hills Road. Proceed 7/10 mile to the sign for the three groves (Circleview, Maryland and Vista) and another party sign. Make the next right up the hill at the Indiana grove sign. Pass the Indiana grove and proceed to the top of the hill to our three grove site.

We’ll be having the very famous fried chicken from Giant Eagle: mixed drums and thighs plus chicken tenders. They will also provide the BBQ and Ranch sauces as well as stuffed shells. They promised.

Other side dishes will be brought by guests instead of birthday gifts. We are desperately down sizing and put out the idea of making every guest take something we are letting go of home with them, but the committee vetoed that idea.

The dessert: Birthday Cake of course. And a fabulous Pittsburgh Cookie Table under the auspices of the Queen of the Cookies, Rita Gutowski and her beautiful assistant, Cheryl Nickovich. Their resume included a prior event for the 80th birthday party and you remember how great that was.

Once again, the Queen of Cookies Rita Gutowski is in charge along with her beautiful assistant Cheryl Nickovich. They want three dozen of your Signature Cookies if you care to share them. Please put them in disposable plastic containers so you don’t need to worry about fancy dishes. If you are allowed to share the recipe, please put it on a 5x7 card. We’ll mount it for display; those interested can use their iPhones to take a picture of the recipe. There will be cookie bags available for take homes too.

We will be assembling the book on site using all the contributions that you bring! Our book has 12x12 inch pages with clear protective sleeves to accommodate your page. Bring your contribution ready to insert (we will have glue and scissors).

Here are some ideas...

• Share a great memory in photographs and captions.
• Type the story of a funny or amazing adventure.
• Describe what you admire most about Mel.
• Write a poem, draw a picture, sew a tiny hat.
• Find a photo of one of Mel’s favorite record album covers or movie poster or show bill.
• What kind of car did Mel drive, what “stylish” outfits did he wear in his twenties? Find an image of it.
• Do you know what games he liked or hobbies? Find an article or description or photo.
• What interesting things happened in the news? Look for a news clipping.
• ...Or anything your mind can imagine!

The beverage permit is sponsored by Tash Zukowski who is also providing beer and other assorted alcoholic treats.

The Arnold Palmer drinks (ice tea and lemonade) are coming from Angela Esch and her family team. You can mix your own to your own taste. Can’t wait!

Sue Skindzier is importing the fizzy water from North Carolina, an out-of-town treat for all of us.

Other non-alcoholic beverages are those most favored in Pittsburgh; we hope you like them: Coke, Coke Zero, Dr. Pepper and Sprite. Bottles of water will be at the bar too. If there’s anything else you prefer, you’ll have to bring it with you.

Please keep checking in on the site. We’ll be updating it and have scheduled an informational interview with Rita, the Queen of the Cookies, herself.

Mark your calendars and don’t forget to RSVP. We want to be sure to have enough chicken for you!

Rooms are reserved for the out-of-town guests at SpringHill Suites (a Marriott Hotel) in Mount Lebanon in Pittsburgh’s South Hills. All the rooms are furnished with twin queen-sized beds; there’s also a couch with a trundle bed in the room. Click on the link to make your reservation before July 1 and get the preferred rate for our group