Sharpsburg’s parks and rec commission recently welcomed two new members.

Residents Paul Rouse and Jon Andrascik were sworn in to their volunteer positions by Mayor Kayla Portis earlier this year. Commission terms are four years.

Rouse said he moved to the borough from O’Hara about three years ago and wanted to do something to help the community.

“I reached out to (the commission) after seeing some open calls for volunteers needed,” Rouse said. “I have a 10-year-old daughter (Sophia) and wanted to help out with community events that can help keep Sharpsburg a great place for families to enjoy.”

Rouse, a Gateway School District math teacher, has many connections in the music and service industry.

He works on music and video projects in his spare time and plans to work with borough businesses and some from surrounding communities on some new initiatives.

“I participated in some local music shows at Redhawk (Coffee) last year when we did some events during First Fridays in Sharpsburg,” Rouse said.

He is most excited about helping with the big bicentennial celebrations next summer.

Andrascik grew up in North Versailles and has been in Sharpsburg for about 15 years.

Joining parks and rec has been on his mind for a few years, but wanted to focus on his daughter Ava’s education and athletics.

Andrascik is a personal trainer, youth soccer and basketball coach. Ava just graduated from Fox Chapel Area High School in June.

“It’s really exciting,” Andrascik said about joining the commission. “Life is busy and I didn’t have that kind of volunteer time (until now).”

He also credited family friend and former commission president Donna Bishop with recruiting him to the group.

“She’s basically like an aunt to me,” Andrascik said. “Known her my whole life. She’s awesome.”

Andrascik said Bishop was best friends with his mother, Kathy Guentner.

He hopes to introduce more athletic-based events to the borough, including Free Throws vs. Heroes, a basketball skills competition between local youths and borough firefighters and police officers.

Andrascik said the basketball court at Kennedy Park is currently being renovated, and the shooting contest could be a great way to celebrate its completion.

Other recreation opportunities Andrascik is excited about are the possible return of a fishing derby at James Sharp Landing and the bicentennial.

“I think they’re both going to be great,” Bishop said. “We have gotten in the past year quite a few people on the commission. It had really brought about some energy. I think they are going to bring a lot of vitality to the group. I expect big things from the whole group.”

Mallory Helbling is the current commission president. She said both Rouse and Andrascik attended meetings prior to joining the team.

“I think both are going to bring different backgrounds, which will be nice,” she said. “With Jonathon, he is a longtime resident. He has a daughter, so he has that perspective. He also has been really involved in sports and personal training. I think that perspective will be really nice to have.

“Paul brings his background as a teacher. He’s lived in Sharpsburg for a while now but is a transplant and has that perspective. He has a strong music background. Both have hit the ground running doing different planning for events that we’re hoping to have come up soon. … They both have been great from the beginning.”

One spot open

There is one spot left on the commission. Leaders said they do not mind it going to a resident or nonresident as long as that person is willing to work hard for the betterment of the borough.

“We would rather have someone who is excited to be there and ready to jump in,” Helbling said.

The next parks and rec commission meeting is set for 6:30 p.m. July 21 at the borough building, 1611 Main St.

Meetings are open to the public and newcomers are welcome.

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