Neighborhood Gang Sells Lemonade for Family Kennywood Trip

Maria Mankie said she couldn't help herself.

She was driving along Center Avenue Tuesday, returning from picking up her son, Michael, 9, from summer camp. Michael was thirsty, and they were looking for a place to get a bottle of water. In front of them, suddenly, at the intersection of Center Avenue and Princeton Avenue in West View was the lemonade stand: $0.50 a cup. 

"I just saw the sign and said, 'It's so cute, we have to stop,' " said Mankie, of Ross.

For two days, a group of West View neighborhood children ranging from age 5 to 13 offered cups of pink lemonade to those driving by the intersection, hoping to raise money to spend for extras today on a planned trip to Kennywood Park. 

The trip is an annual outing for the three families, said Christine Foreback, one of the parents. 

The children earned $16 Monday and about $20 by 4 p.m. Tuesday. Some people donated cash, including two West View police officers, they said.