Nowadays, when a Pittsburgher goes on a walk, they’re likely to check their smartwatch and track their steps.But steps don’t count during a cookie walk, the annual events in which neighbors collect cookies and sometimes support organizations like community churches.During a cookie walk, you may come for the stroll, but stay for the sugar.That’s the case at the annual cookie walk at the Sewickley United Methodist Church, which WTAE’s Chronicle visited in late November.Organizer Deborah Consoli says they sell about 450 dozen cookies every year, offering about 80 different varieties.”We have gluten-free cookies for everyone, and specialty cookies like lady locks and buckeyes and things like that,” said Consoli.And she’s not just an organizer. Consoli is one of the bakers as well, saying, “I’m a cookie queen. I like cookies and I like baking.”Chronicle also traveled to nearby Hopewell Township, Beaver County, where locally owned and operated Kuhn’s Market held its annual cookie walk in early December, giving neighbors an opportunity to stock up on cookies ahead of the holiday.Also in early December, Chronicle traveled to the annual Irwin Cookie Tour in Westmoreland County, which local business owner Eric Schearer described as being “like combining Christmas with trick-or-treating.”The yearly tradition gives neighbors a chance to shop local and collect cookies while traveling through Irwin.”I just always felt like I was in a Hallmark movie,” added Shearer.John Smaligo, director of outreach for Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Irwin, added, “Because of the excitement that something like that brings, it brings a new dimension and a joy to the town.”He later added, “To be able to carry that on is, I think, an honor.”
SEWICKLEY, Pa. —
Nowadays, when a Pittsburgher goes on a walk, they’re likely to check their smartwatch and track their steps.
But steps don’t count during a cookie walk, the annual events in which neighbors collect cookies and sometimes support organizations like community churches.
During a cookie walk, you may come for the stroll, but stay for the sugar.
That’s the case at the annual cookie walk at the Sewickley United Methodist Church, which WTAE’s Chronicle visited in late November.
Organizer Deborah Consoli says they sell about 450 dozen cookies every year, offering about 80 different varieties.
“We have gluten-free cookies for everyone, and specialty cookies like lady locks and buckeyes and things like that,” said Consoli.
And she’s not just an organizer. Consoli is one of the bakers as well, saying, “I’m a cookie queen. I like cookies and I like baking.”
WTAE
Cookie Walk at Kuhn’s Market in Hopewell Township
Chronicle also traveled to nearby Hopewell Township, Beaver County, where locally owned and operated Kuhn’s Market held its annual cookie walk in early December, giving neighbors an opportunity to stock up on cookies ahead of the holiday.
WTAE
2025 Irwin Cookie Tour
Also in early December, Chronicle traveled to the annual Irwin Cookie Tour in Westmoreland County, which local business owner Eric Schearer described as being “like combining Christmas with trick-or-treating.”
The yearly tradition gives neighbors a chance to shop local and collect cookies while traveling through Irwin.
“I just always felt like I was in a Hallmark movie,” added Shearer.
John Smaligo, director of outreach for Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Irwin, added, “Because of the excitement that something like that brings, it brings a new dimension and a joy to the town.”
He later added, “To be able to carry that on is, I think, an honor.”