This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Community Corner

Summer Officially Began Tuesday

You may have been to the pool or had a family barbecue, but summer officially started on Tuesday, June 21.

Whether it’s the beach or a porch-view vacation, everyone is ducking out of work early to spend a little more time in the sun. It’s Pittsburgh. We have to take what we can get. The summer solstice reminds us, “If you haven’t started celebrating summer yet … get cracking!”

The summer solstice is a Latin word which breaks down to sol (sun) and sistere (to stand still). When the sun hits its southernmost extreme it appears to be standing still.  It’s all about the sun's path (or rather Earth’s rotational path around the sun). This year, it will happen precisely on June 21 at 17:16 (5:16 p.m.). It’s winter solstice in Australia, but on December 21 it will all be flipped and they will have summer while we have winter. 

It’s recognized worldwide as an important event. Some cultures consider the solstice as a time of fertility and have holidays, festivals and other celebrations.  It may not be considered to be a holiday here in the U.S., but there’s no reason not to proclaim its significance and start your own celebration.

Find out what's happening in Upper St. Clairwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Make a summertime resolution. Vow to buy more fresh vegetables at local Farmers Markets. There are a number of good farmers markets around. There is the . Another popular one is the Original Farmers Market in Cecil/South Fayette (right off of Route 50). Its’ open Monday, Wednesday and Friday evenings from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm. There are also .

If you're not a regular farmer's market shopper, start small. It can be as simple as buying a watermelon, instead of thinking, “These things make such a mess.” Pick one out and go for it.

Find out what's happening in Upper St. Clairwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Make this the year you go out and plant a garden. Put the volleyball net up in the backyard. Stop talking about having friends over for a barbecue, pick up the phone and just do it.  

If you haven’t already, become a member at the to be able to use their impressive, outdoor pool.

Putting that bathing suit back on may have reminded you it’s time to kick-start that diet. Check out Upper St. Clair nutritionist Kathy Gillen and her website, Wellness Roadtrip.

Take them out to the ballgame! There are plenty of home games with the Pittsburgh Pirates, or even more locally, the Washington Wild Things (just as much fun, without all the city parking hoopla).

If sports are your thing, pledge to hit the basketball courts a bit more often, or mount a hoop above your garage door. It is hours of healthy fun.

On a rainy day, curl up with a good book. Join one of the book clubs or take part in their free summer reading program

Summer is short. Make the most of it.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?