Local bartenders band together in wake of Tree of Life tragedy
Throughout her career, Maggie Meskey has earned recognition as one of the most respected and beloved bartenders and service industry professionals in Pittsburgh by being an innovator, a teacher, a mentor and a friend to co-workers and by providing impeccable hospitality to guests sitting at her bar.
So, in that same spirit, it’s no surprise that her colleagues and customers would reach out to give her a helping hand when needed. The father of Ms. Meskey’s longtime partner, Jake Leger, was among the wounded survivors of the Tree of Life synagogue shooting Oct. 27 in Squirrel Hill. Eleven people died in the attack, in which Robert Bowers has been charged with 44 federal counts, including hate crimes.
Daniel Leger, 70, a chaplain for UPMC, continues his recovery at UPMC Presbyterian after having been moved out of intensive care late last week.
As a gesture of support and solidarity, an all-star cast of bartenders from around the city will host a fundraiser in honor of Ms. Meskey and the Leger family at noon Sunday at Acacia (2108 E. Carson St., South Side) called “This Goes to Eleven” (The event references a famous line from “Spinal Tap.”)
There is no cover, but all sales and gratuities will benefit the Jewish Family and Community Services, a Squirrel Hill social agency that assists with refugee relocation services, mental health and general well-being for anyone and everyone in the community who needs it. Ellen Leger, Daniel Leger’s wife is a volunteer there.
“Maggie is one of the biggest influencers of the local cocktail scene,” said Sean Enright, general manager of Spork in Bloomfield and a former colleague of Ms. Meskey. Mr. Enright helped coordinate the event.
“She’s mentored up-andcoming bartenders and ran groundbreaking programs,” he said of Ms. Meskey, who is now the general manager of Fish Nor Fowl in Garfield. “She definitely has left her mark more considerably than anyone in the city. She is a great teacher and a great influence, always trying to better herself and the local cocktail movement.”
A veritable dream team of Pittsburgh-area barkeeps including Nicole Battle (Di Anoia’s Eatery), Cortney Buchanan (The Warren), Mr. Enright (Spork), Great Harmon (Willow) Shane Morrison (Acacia), Cecil Usher (Lorelei) Spencer Warren and Kimber Weissert (The Warren) will take turns slinging drinks. There will be food for purchase from Stagioni, Carson Street Deli, the Double Wide Grill and Spork, as well as raffle baskets from numerous local bars and restaurants.
“The outpouring of donations is going to be incredible,” Mr. Enright said. “My heart is full.”
For her part, Ms. Meskey has kept a sense of humor about what her family has endured.
“Sean called me to tell me about it and it moved me to tears in Giant Eagle,” Ms. Meskey said. “I’ve been living in the hospital basically for over a week where crying isn’t weird, but I think I scared the people at the grocery store.”