Villages' second club for Pittsburghers launches

By MICHAEL FORTUNA, DAILY SUN

Friday, May 25, 2007 8:02 PM EDT

THE VILLAGES — Last year, Emily Emigh wanted to join the Pittsburgh Club, but its membership had grown to more than 700.

So she started another club.

“I knew there was a strong contingency of Pittsburghers in The Villages,” Emigh said.

The Pittsburgh II Club (its official name hasn’t been decided yet) held its second organizational meeting Thursday night at Bacall Recreation Center.

“It’s going to be a social club,” Emigh said. “It’s a place where Pittsburghers come together and reminisce about Pittsburgh, to develop friendships with other people who are from the same area, and have fun.”

Before the meeting, several residents chatted about where they lived in the Pittsburgh area. Some came adorned in Pittsburgh Steelers or Penn State Nittany Lions hats and shirts, while others wore Pittsburgh Club shirts.

The original club is offering its support as the second club comes into existence.

About 75 people attended the first meeting, and about the same number came for Thursday night’s gathering.

“It was very productive,” Emigh said Friday. “We established committees, and the people provided a lot of ideas. We hope to have recommendations (on a club name) by the next meeting.”

Emigh said that she plans to cap membership at around 400.

“We don’t want it to feel like you’re lost (in the shuffle of people),” Emigh said.

Emigh, a Village of Caroline resident, lived all over the Pittsburgh area except the south end. She moved there with her husband after graduating from college.

“The people (makes the city special),” Emigh said. “It’s friendly.”

Eileen and Chuck Cochran, who live in the Village of Duval, volunteered to handle the chance drawing.

“We thought it would be neat to get into a group that was just starting,” Eileen said.

“It should be a fun club,” Chuck said.

The Cochrans have been members of the first Pittsburgh Club, but since they moved from Piedmont to Duval they have been lowering the number of clubs they’re involved in.

“You join so many clubs, you have to figure out where you’re going,” Eileen said. “There’s not enough time if you’re golfing.”

Eileen grew up in Crafton, while Chuck lived in Mount Lebanon, both within a few miles of downtown Pittsburgh. Eileen’s side of the family has roots in the area.

“I go way back,” she said.

They moved to Chicago about 40 years ago, but they still have a soft spot for Pittsburgh.

“It’s where you’re from,” Chuck said.

Michael Fortuna is a reporter with the Daily Sun. He can be reached at 753-1119, ext. 9234, or michael.fortuna@thevillagesmedia.com