(News)

By Adam Spate
Special to Tube City Almanac

McKeesport's Weed and Seed Program has another way for city residents to speak up. The new Silent Complaint Form can be used to report criminal, suspicious or drug activity.

It also can be used to report on suspected code violations or public works issues.

A Weed and Seed spokeswoman said the group is partnering with city police, code enforcement officers, and the public works department to clean up neighborhoods through citizen involvement.

By using these forms, residents can anonymously pass information to appropriate authorities to report activities which can threaten the community.

The forms also have advice on what to look for if you suspect illegal activity and tips to keep yourself safe.

City police Chief Bryan Washowich says he's a huge proponent of this initiative. He hopes that police will now hear about problems before they result in a 911 call.

The forms (which can be downloaded from Tube City Almanac as a PDF) are available from the Community Policing Relations and Resource Center, 617 Sinclair Ave., Downtown.

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In Other News: Some Grandview residents were surprised on Palm Sunday to see a three-block-long parade --- including a donkey named "Wyland" --- which began at the corner of Versailles and Grandview avenues.

Members of Beulah Park United Methodist Church took to the streets to recreate the story told of Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem a few days before his crucifixion.

More than 100 people waved palms and shouted "Hosanna" as they walked down Grandview Avenue to Grover Street, and even those who couldn't walk the distance waited in front of the church to see the donkey.

Many local residents came out to watch, some local children joined in, and some drivers were caught a little by surprise.

For many Christian churches, Palm Sunday or "Passion Sunday" marks the beginning of Holy Week.

According to the four gospels of the New Testament, when Jesus entered Jerusalem, the crowds greeted him by covering his path with palm branches.

Wyland was a Sicilian donkey, a miniature breed standing only 28 to 38 inches tall. Legend says that Jesus rode a Sicilian donkey during his procession into Jerusalem, and that's why the breed has a cross-shaped marking along its back, beginning at the base of the neck.

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Whatever Became of the Turnsisters?: Having been a collector of McKeesport memorabilia for some years, I have seen many different, interesting objects.

But one item in my collection that I cannot identify is this small ceramic bell celebrating the bicentennial of the United States.

Now, many trinkets were made at this time, but this one has an added twist. On the bottom it is engraved "McKeesport Turnsisters 92nd."

I have searched the archives of the Heinz History Center, the Internet, the Hillman Library at Pitt and asked around town, but I can't seem to find any organization called the Turnsisters.

Where did they go? Who were the members? If anyone has any information, please contact me at hemiadam@comcast.net.