Opposite page: Foster's tombstone in Allegheny Cemetery is not far
from where the composer grew up in Lawrenceville. Doo Dah Days, a
festival that celebrates Foster's life, is held at the cemetery in July.

A statue of Foster stands before Schenley Plaza across Forbes Avenue
from the Stephen Foster Memorial Museum (opposite page, below).

Inset: Stained glass windows in the Foster museum.

is probably the pièce de résistance. By studying Foster's myriad
changes and cross outs—including where he substituted Pedee for
Swanee (a river in Florida that he’d never seen)—you can almost
feel his thought process at work.

The Stephen Foster Memorial Museum is open 9 a . m . to 4
p . m ., Mondays through Fridays; there is no admission fee unless
you want to book a guided tour for $1.50 ($1 for seniors and
children). Call 412-624-4100.

When you finish the tour, cross Forbes Avenue to see the
bronze statue of Stephen Foster that stands before Schenley
Plaza (next to the huge Dippy the dinosaur statue). Created by
Giuseppe Moretti in 1900 and originally erected in Highland
Park, the statue commemorates Foster’s song Uncle Ned, by
depicting the composer sitting with a banjo-playing slave. Over
the years, the statue has stirred up some controversy—some say
it's racist while others point out Uncle Ned can be interpreted as
one of the first anti-slavery songs. Either way, a plaque explaining
the statue would be nice.

Over in Allegheny Cemetery, the Lawrenceville Historical
Society and the Allegheny Cemetery Historical Association
join forces annually to present the Stephen Foster Music
and Heritage Festival (Doo Dah Days!), which draws about
1,000 people annually. This year the festivities are noon to
5 p . m ., Saturday, July 11. Several Civil War era re-enactment
groups (military and civilian), re-enactors portraying Foster
and Abe and Mary Lincoln (coinciding with Lincoln's 200th
birthday) will be there along with outdoor activities, food
vendors and four folk bands. Concerts begin at 12:15 with
Historically Performed, a couple who play period musical
instruments while clad in period dress. At 1:30 Home Front
hits the stage with authentic Civil War era music and at 2:45
is Tunnel Vision with clever arrangements of Foster’s music
and other American tunes. The day wraps up at 4 with
the fiddle and banjo playing of Powers-Freeman–Berman.

Trolley tours pass not only Foster’s grave, but that of his only
child Marion Foster Welch and the last resting places of light-
opera soprano Lillian Russell, baseball great Josh Gibson and
Harry K. Thaw—the man who murdered architect Stanford
White to defend the honor of his wife, showgirl and noted
vixen Evelyn Nesbit. You’ll also pass by and hear stories
about some of the truly impressive mausoleums and monu-
ments in this the country’s sixth-oldest rural cemetery (it was
founded in 1844; the same year Foster’s first song was pub-
lished). Tours include the cemetery’s Temple of Memories
Mausoleum’s stunning 15- by 9-foot stained glass window
that depicts scenes from Foster’s life and songs.

The life and times of Stephen Foster
cool stuff
Cool stuff Stephen Foster
plus… baseball, hot dogs and
(presumably) apple pie.

BEAUTIFUL DREAMER:
THE SONGS OF
STEPHEN FOSTER.

Released in 2004, this CD
features 18 of Foster’s best
loved songs performed
by Alison Krauss, John Prine, Michelle
Shocked, Mavis Staples, Suzy Bogguss and other
artists. A great, modern way to introduce (or rein-
troduce) yourself and your kids to the music of a
Pittsburgh legend. www.amazon.com.

PNC PARK Don’t overlook a hometown gem!
Choose a fine summer day and pair it with Pirates
baseball at classic PNC Park situated in the shad-
ow of the Pittsburgh skyline on the shores of the
Allegheny River. Every seat in the ballpark is a good
one and bleacher seats are only $9. It’s a great place
to enjoy our national pastime in the good old sum-
mertime. DORMONT DOGS T ucked away on Glenmore
Avenue, just off Potomac, is Dormont Dogs, where
hot dogs get all fancied up. Opened last year
by Captain Barnes, a chef whose resume lists
Bruschetta’s, Seviche and the Sonoma Grille, and
his wife, Rachel, Dormont Dogs has more than a
dozen varieties of dogs, some named after streets
in Dormont, such as Arkansas (bacon, horseradish,
green onions and cheese) and Connecticut (baked
beans and coleslaw). Each dog can be made with all-
beef or tofu. 2911 Glenmore.

VANILLA Next time you head over to Whole
Foods or Trader Joe’s, stop at Vanilla
Pastry Studio at 6014 Penn Circle
Street. This charming shop—painted
in pinks and minty greens—is filled
with whimsical cakes, cupcakes oozing
marshmallow butter cream centers and
“Lollys”—sweet little desserts (such as
pumpkin cheesecake)—
covered with chocolate
and stuck on a stick.

Leave the calorie counter
at the door.

www.mtlebanon.org 47



story and photos by carole yagello takach
a tiny shopping district with
a garden at its heart…
Business is
BloominG magine finding a cozy spot for dining alfresco, where blue
awnings stretch over a deck, ceiling fans stir a breeze, and
window boxes are dressed in pink petunias. The garden
view makes the world slip away, as you scan the menu,
and plan your shopping day.

Nearby, a busy boulevard hums with traffic, while dog-
walkers, shoppers and joggers share the sidewalk. That’s
business as usual—in Montreal or Montmartre.

Guess again. You’re in Mt. Lebanon, where a cluster of shops
at Shady Drive and Castle Shannon Boulevard converge in a
garden spot. The natural reaction is to stop and browse through
a store or sit outside and smell the roses, which is just how Kristin
Nell of Vicar Home and Garden planned it.

Nell, who owned Vicar Antiques on Washington Road, from
1980 to 1995, has always been drawn to gardening. When she
opened her new shop on Castle Shannon Boulevard in 2000, she
decided to “go for it,” and prove her green thumb meant busi-
ness, by tackling home design from the inside out.

Located just across the street from the busy
MmMm Pizza, plenty of passersby admire
Nell for her effort, which has turned
the whole shopping complex into a
plantscape that delights the eye and
introduces prospective clients to her
gardening skills.

Her landlord, Bill Krahe, was on board
with the idea of featuring floral displays
throughout the shopping area, so, she
dug right in and gardened with gusto.

The result? A reprise of cottage gardens
past, created as window boxes trail flowers and
a trellis blossoms in pink. An area, where solitary
evergreens once pined for attention, is now a mixed garden
in which hydrangeas, roses and Russian sage encourage wander-
ing at will.

Stone planters point the way to Cammie Sin’s Tea Boutique,
while a wrought iron trellis announces the entry of Ease—A
Petite Spa. Luma restaurant’s natural backdrop of trees is
enhanced by flowery borders and window boxes.

Nell says she is constantly rewarded by the positive reaction to
her gardening efforts: “It just makes my day.”
She and her staff have a well-honed garden maintenance rou-
tine. “We make it a priority, and every second is worth it,” she
48 mtl • july/august 2009
says, praising Andy Covert, who handles outdoor chores, Kathy
Weiland, who works indoors and out, and Annie Vogel and
Mary McAllister, who keep the shop running smoothly.

Nell also appreciates the enthusiasm of her garden design
clients. “The garden investment is as good as you are,” she tells
them. “It comes from the heart.”
Considering Nell’s garden magic, it’s only natural that her shop
and historic Dan Drive farmhouse have often been featured in
community events, like the Mt. Lebanon Library Garden Tour
and the Howard Hanna Holiday House Tour. Last month, her
home was included on the Botanical Garden Tour. A luncheon
that followed at Luma showcased her floral touches.

Other business owners at the complex enjoy the results of her
green thumb. “It adds to the ambience and provides a relaxing
feeling that’s very important,” comments Greg Ackerman, one
of Luma’s owners. “It’s a big hit with clients.”
Hillary Lohr, proprietor of Cammie Sin’s Tea Boutique, agrees,
saying, “No one can help but notice it.” As a “new kid on the
block” who just moved in last September, Lohr appreciates the
convivial atmosphere and the way the shops complement each
other. Eileen Kenny, who owns Ease—A Petite Spa, applauds the
way Nell and company maintain the flowery setting, noting
that people often call to compliment her on it. Her second-story
location allows her to overhear the positive comments of people
strolling the garden area below.

The proprietors look forward to the annual changes Nell
makes to the gardens.. Ackerman considers new additions to
plant borders a real asset, while Kenny welcomes the vine that
now enhances her arbor.

The mood must be contagious, since at the other end of the
same block of Castle Shannon Boulevard, just across from Salon
La te Da, Theresa Bayer, of Schafer Interiors has set a memorable
outdoor scene with a bench and larger-than-life bronze umbrella
girl fountain, surrounded by interesting grasses and annuals.

Ron Loverde, who owns the nearby LaVerde & Company Hair
Salon says his clients often comment on that corner's pleasing
appearance, as well as the colorful floral mural commissioned by
neighboring Neishloss & Neishloss and painted by Mt. Lebanon
resident Ashley Hodder that now enhances the side of the once
less-than-impressive building that flanks the Ivy Inn.

Need a pickup? A quick trip to Castle Shannon Boulevard will
encourage a cheerful mood to blossom.