April 2, 2026

Mt. Lebanon Magazine nominated for 9 Golden Quill Awards

Mt. Lebanon Magazine is a finalist in the Golden Quill Awards, sponsored by the Press Club of Western Pennsylvania, with nine nominated works.

The Golden Quills honors the top regional journalists and media outlets for their excellence in impactful, local journalism.

“I’m so proud of the quality of Mt. Lebanon Magazine’s entries,” said Editor in Chief Laura Pace Lilley. “They represent a wide variety of writing and design styles and show the depth of talent of our staff and freelancers. We are honored to be part of Southwestern Pennsylvania’s quality journalism corps and are thrilled to be named alongside such wonderful magazine titles.”

The magazine’s 2026 nominations are in Excellence in Written Journalism, Division 4 and Excellence in Visual Achievement Page Design – Print. Winners will be announced at the 62nd annual awards ceremony on May 18 at Rivers Casino. The nominees are:

News Feature:

“A micromobile Mt. Lebanon”

Written by Ella Magaw

“I decided to get an e-bike for the main purpose of being able to run errands and get around Mt. Lebanon,” said Ivey. “It makes the hills seem flatter,” he added, noting that he can get most places in Mt. Lebanon without too much trouble. “If I need to go to the library or meet a friend in another neighborhood or go pick up something from Rollier’s, I can hop on my e-bike and get there,” he said. However, safety is a big concern for Ivey while riding the e-bike. Read more.

Traditional Feature:

“Mt. Lebanon confidential”

Written by M.A. Jackson

In 1979, Reuben “The Porn King” Sturman snuck into Mt. Lebanon and, when told he was not welcome, stubbornly refused to leave. And why would he? The “Howard Hughes of Porn” certainly was not going to be cowed by a bunch of suburbanites. After all, he had fearlessly faced off against the FBI, circumvented racketeering charges, and, by hiring the best First Amendment lawyers, had dodged numerous obscenity charges. With his reputed ties to the Gambino crime family, nothing was going to stop him from expanding his vast smut empire. Read more.

Traditional Feature:

“Living in color”

Written by Rachel Windsor

LGBTQ+ people have always existed in Mt. Lebanon, but their ability to be out openly (and safely) has varied. Peter Karlovich grew up on Kelso Road and attended Mt. Lebanon schools, graduating from the high school in 1978. During that time, he was not out as a gay man. “Had it been a different time, I might’ve been,” Karlovich said. Read more.

Public Affairs/Politics/Government:

“Freedom to read”

Written by Merle Jantz

One thing stood out above all the rest, and caught the eye of the Pennsylvania Library Association’s Library of the Year selection board, which chose Mt. Lebanon from among 630 public libraries, marking the first time any Allegheny County library has received the award. The library is the commonwealth’s first (and at press time only) book sanctuary. Read more.

Public Affairs/Politics/Government:

“The life of Mt. Lebanon activist Ellen Berliner”

Written by Rachel Windsor

For decades, 180 Woodhaven Drive was a refuge. Cuban evacuees, runaway teenagers, abused women and children, they all flocked to the home of Ellen and Arthur Berliner and their four children. Read more.

Public Affairs/Politics/Government:

“Mt. Lebanon housewife turned nationally acclaimed activist”

Written by Rachel Windsor

One of the founding feminist leaders in the country began her activism in Mt. Lebanon. Eleanor “Ellie” Smeal described herself as a Mt. Lebanon housewife in the 1960s, although she went on to become the president of major feminist organizations in subsequent decades. Read more.

Medical/Health:

“Closing ranks on cancer”

Written by Laura Pace Lilley

On January 3, Bridgette Daugherty was admitted to UPMC Shadyside, had a biopsy at 8 a.m. and her first round of chemo for stage IV breast cancer by 4 p.m. Although she felt fine weeks before, she was now exhausted, and in organ failure. Read more.

Lifestyle:

“Blast from the past”

Written by Harry Funk

To a toddler like Olivine Toth, it’s pretty much a big toy in the basement. Generally, dad Phil and mom Kate gently dissuade her from touching the gadgets and gizmos on the credenza-sized contraption at their Altadena Drive home. But on occasion, she’s allowed to flick a switch and watch the flat disc stored in a slot above it slide backward, eventually followed by the dulcet tones, albeit with some clicks and pops, of a song from at least three-quarters of a century before she was born. Read more.