Montclair Estates Homeowners Association
By Ann Kravitz
My family transferred to Upper St.
Clair in February 1981, from Cherry Hill,
New Jersey. It was a quirk of fate that we
found our home in the Montclair Estates
plan. A person we met on vacation knew a
couple (the Ebers) who lived in Pittsburgh,
and gave us their phone number. Upon
talking to Bob and Marilyn Eber, we knew
that Montclair Estates was the neighborhood
in which we wanted to live. We loved
the idea that there was a swimming pool for
the homeowners in the plan. The weekend
we were house hunting, neighbors of the
Ebers announced that they were moving.
We were the first ones to see their home
and we bought it that weekend. For 22
years we’ve lived in this neighborhood and
I’ve observed and reflected on the many
changes that have occurred.
Ryan Homes was building in Upper St.
Clair at that time. Montclair Estates was
designed to be a model community and
an experiment in modern living in the 60s.
There are 163 homes in the plan. They used
various new concepts in building, and Montclair
established a homeowners association.
Expecting this to be a highly visible community,
they designed homes that contained
generous sized living areas. Outside features
of houses were varied so that similar styles
looked different and contributed to the
beauty of the neighborhood. A pool was constructed
and turned over to the homeowners
upon its completion. Adjacent to Montclair,
Tustin Park has recently been developed by
the Township and includes a basketball court
and a children’s play area.
The first house to be completed was sold
to Fred and Gladys Fry in 1964. By the time
the widowed Mr. Fry passed away, his son,
Craig, had already moved his own family
into his childhood home. Sadly, Craig died
recently, but his wife and their young children
are still there. Kim Alexander moved
into Montclair with her parents, Dixie and
John Lord, in 1964. Their home was the
third house built in the plan. As an adult
she returned to this neighborhood and
purchased the home right next door to the
one in which she grew up. On Greystone
Drive, a custom home was built on a double
lot for one of the Ryan Homes executives.
It is distinctly larger than the other homes
in the neighborhood and over the years has
been further expanded to include a four-car
garage. The final house in the plan was built
in the late 80s. Two next-door neighbors on
Clairmont Circle subdivided their property
creating the final lot. Ed Harmon built the
last home in the neighborhood and the only
one to face Lesnett Road.
Kim, who has vivid memories of the
homes and pool being constructed, lives in
a ranch style home abundant with formica,
a new and experimental material of its time.
When Kim and her husband, Bill, bought
the house, it still had all of the original
formica surfaces. Kitchen cabinets and
vanities, including the front door were formica
coated, as was the siding of the house.
Although many of the interior surfaces have
been replaced, the siding remains formica
and has never been painted.
When we moved into the neighborhood
my children were young. Today the
neighborhood has turned over again and I
enjoy seeing how many kids climb on the
kindergarten buses and how many parents
wait at the bus stops with their elementary
school children.
Montclair Estates is a neighborhood
steeped in tradition. Every year since its
inception, a dinner has been held at a local
restaurant to elect the members of the
association’s board of directors. The board
comprised nine people who each serve
for a three-year term. Each year, three
members retire and three new people are
elected. There is an annual homeowners’
association assessment for each household
to defray the cost of operating the pool and
maintaining all of the common areas.
The first outdoor activity, which always
receives an overwhelming response,
is the Easter egg hunt. It’s a chance for
the parents—coffee cups in hand—to get
together after the winter frost has melted
into spring. For the past 20 years it has
been held on the grounds of the Gleditsch
Estate. Chris Gleditsch has been hostess for
this annual event since a neighbor moved
away and passed her the baton. Loretta
Vancko was a co-hostess during the years
when she lived next door to Chris. About
50 kids attended this year.
Two weeks before Easter, Chris has sent an invitation to every family in the neighborhood with instructions to drop off six plastic eggs filled with sweets or small toys on the day preceding the event. The hunt begins at 10 a.m. on the Saturday one week prior to
Easter. On the morning of the big day, the eggs are hidden. The younger children have the privilege of the level front lawn while the terrain in the back challenges the older ones. The event lasts about an hour and in every year but one, the sun has shone brightly. One year it actually snowed and everything was postponed until later that day. By the afternoon the snow had melted and the sun performed the encore. In 1967, Pittsburgh was the corporate headquarters for many prominent companies. Employees were moved around,
like chess pieces, to the company’s various locations
all across the country. Every two or three years these corporate transferees were expected to gather up their families and go. The result—homes in Montclair frequently changed ownership. When we bought our house in 1981, it was only ten years old and we were the fifth family to live there. Then the business climate changed, as money became tight, and the transfers began to dwindle. Since the mid 80s, many of the people who were left behind from that immense “tidal wave” of corporate transfers have remained and created and preserved many traditions.
Not surprisingly, the most exciting event of the year is the Memorial Day pool party, the first of three summer pool parties and the official opening of the pool. The special chefs in the community—men, I might add—preside over the barbecue. The number one chef is Jim Kennedy. This year the day started out grim, but the sun was shining by afternoon. In the past, picnics were sometimes cancelled at the last minute if there was bad weather. In 2000 a poolside gazebo was built, large enough for food tables and some enclosed seating. The summer parties are now held rain or shine.
For July 4th there is a parade down Clairmont Drive. Patriotic children and their parents decorate themselves, bikes, wagons and strollers in order to march festively to the pool. At the head of the parade is a USC fire truck. But alas, the Labor Day picnic signals the end of the summer. The Saturday before Halloween there is another parade down Clairmont Drive where the kids can show off their costumes in the sunlight. These costumes are far superior to the ones I remember
my kids wearing—I think they’ve become an art form. When they arrive at the pool there’s a small party and the kids receive their first treat bags.
Carolyn Sopher started the annual holiday Christmas party in 1981 for mothers and children of the babysitting co-op, a necessity of the time before daycare. Kids would get dressed up in their very best
holiday clothes. Carolyn continued this tradition in her home until 1995 and although she still does the show, the location shifted to the homes of other neighbors
and then finally to the Township Recreation
Center. Yearly, 40 or 50 kids and their parents still enjoy the show. From 1981 until present, her puppets have performed “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer.” In addition to games and songs, there is a visit
from Santa—a USC volunteer fireman, who handles private consultations. Everyone brings a toiletry to donate to SHIM.
For the adults in the early 80s there was a couples bowling league. The bowling alley, Sports Haven in Bridgeville, was so small that our meager group took up half the lanes. It was an anachronism even in
those days, charming but quaint. Also, for the adults there were very creative theme parties and progressive gourmet dinners. Bridge was very popular and there were more players than spaces at the tables.
Many residents in Montclair grew up in the greater Pittsburgh area. Of those who’ve left, many have chosen to come back so that their children can experience
life with the extended family of grandparents or aunts, uncles and cousins as they did. There are lots of husbands and wives in the plan who went to Upper St. Clair High School together, married, and are
raising their own children here. Consequently, many schoolchildren today are walking not only in their older siblings’ footsteps, but their parents’ as well. From my observations, there is a high level of belief in the strength of “family” in Montclair Estates, particularly the 60s type model. The lifestyles of the residents
have changed through the years, but they have retained the same personal values that were present during the plan’s early days.
Although there is an abundance of joy in Montclair, we have our share of tribulation. In my very dear neighborhood there are people to have fun with, to cry with and to count on during all of life’s challenges. This community has provided a very special quality of life for its residents.
-Upper St. Clair Magazine
Fall 2003
Easter. On the morning of the big day, the eggs are hidden. The younger children have the privilege of the level front lawn while the terrain in the back challenges the older ones. The event lasts about an hour and in every year but one, the sun has shone brightly. One year it actually snowed and everything was postponed until later that day. By the afternoon the snow had melted and the sun performed the encore. In 1967, Pittsburgh was the corporate headquarters for many prominent companies. Employees were moved around,
like chess pieces, to the company’s various locations
all across the country. Every two or three years these corporate transferees were expected to gather up their families and go. The result—homes in Montclair frequently changed ownership. When we bought our house in 1981, it was only ten years old and we were the fifth family to live there. Then the business climate changed, as money became tight, and the transfers began to dwindle. Since the mid 80s, many of the people who were left behind from that immense “tidal wave” of corporate transfers have remained and created and preserved many traditions.
Not surprisingly, the most exciting event of the year is the Memorial Day pool party, the first of three summer pool parties and the official opening of the pool. The special chefs in the community—men, I might add—preside over the barbecue. The number one chef is Jim Kennedy. This year the day started out grim, but the sun was shining by afternoon. In the past, picnics were sometimes cancelled at the last minute if there was bad weather. In 2000 a poolside gazebo was built, large enough for food tables and some enclosed seating. The summer parties are now held rain or shine.
For July 4th there is a parade down Clairmont Drive. Patriotic children and their parents decorate themselves, bikes, wagons and strollers in order to march festively to the pool. At the head of the parade is a USC fire truck. But alas, the Labor Day picnic signals the end of the summer. The Saturday before Halloween there is another parade down Clairmont Drive where the kids can show off their costumes in the sunlight. These costumes are far superior to the ones I remember
my kids wearing—I think they’ve become an art form. When they arrive at the pool there’s a small party and the kids receive their first treat bags.
Carolyn Sopher started the annual holiday Christmas party in 1981 for mothers and children of the babysitting co-op, a necessity of the time before daycare. Kids would get dressed up in their very best
holiday clothes. Carolyn continued this tradition in her home until 1995 and although she still does the show, the location shifted to the homes of other neighbors
and then finally to the Township Recreation
Center. Yearly, 40 or 50 kids and their parents still enjoy the show. From 1981 until present, her puppets have performed “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer.” In addition to games and songs, there is a visit
from Santa—a USC volunteer fireman, who handles private consultations. Everyone brings a toiletry to donate to SHIM.
For the adults in the early 80s there was a couples bowling league. The bowling alley, Sports Haven in Bridgeville, was so small that our meager group took up half the lanes. It was an anachronism even in
those days, charming but quaint. Also, for the adults there were very creative theme parties and progressive gourmet dinners. Bridge was very popular and there were more players than spaces at the tables.
Many residents in Montclair grew up in the greater Pittsburgh area. Of those who’ve left, many have chosen to come back so that their children can experience
life with the extended family of grandparents or aunts, uncles and cousins as they did. There are lots of husbands and wives in the plan who went to Upper St. Clair High School together, married, and are
raising their own children here. Consequently, many schoolchildren today are walking not only in their older siblings’ footsteps, but their parents’ as well. From my observations, there is a high level of belief in the strength of “family” in Montclair Estates, particularly the 60s type model. The lifestyles of the residents
have changed through the years, but they have retained the same personal values that were present during the plan’s early days.
Although there is an abundance of joy in Montclair, we have our share of tribulation. In my very dear neighborhood there are people to have fun with, to cry with and to count on during all of life’s challenges. This community has provided a very special quality of life for its residents.
-Upper St. Clair Magazine
Fall 2003
