Harry Funk stories, Page 6
Jeannette resident makes most of new musical directionsVideo
So, you find yourself thinking about what it would be like to make a new start. For someone who actually followed through, meet Jeannette resident Mick Francis. As lead vocalist and primary handler of details for the up-and-coming Pittsburgh pop-punk band Lotus Kid, he seemed to be headed in what...
Mamm O’ Glam event in Hampton helps encourage screenings
Women generally are well aware that once they reach a certain age, mammograms are in their best interest. Sometimes they need a gentle push in that direction, and UPMC Health Plan offers a distinctive one for its members. “We call them on the phone to invite them, or we send...
The art of soap making: Richland resident presents colorful creations
Maybe you grew up washing with the golden hue of Dial, the emerald green of Irish Spring or the snowy white of Ivory. Whatever the color of the brand at hand, a soap bar was a soap bar. Richland resident Laura Bogacz effectively takes the opposite approach with her business,...
‘Don’t sell yourself short’: North Hills commencement speakers offer positivity, encouragement
With high school in the rear-view mirror, this year’s graduates embark on paths that they hope will lead to prosperity, accomplishment and happiness. In preparing her farewell address for the North Hills Class of 2024, Avery Gallagher provided some perspective in that regard. “I thought a lot about what I...
Display memorializes Bethel Park Marine
The portrait shows a youthful, handsome Marine in his dress blues, a slight smile surrounded by his square jaw and bright eyes conveying pride and determination. That’s the way his parents wanted to remember him when they commissioned Washington County artist Nat Youngblood to paint the image of 2nd Lt....
‘An inclusive community’: Ross hosts inaugural Pride celebration
Journalists aren’t supposed to refer anything as “first annual,” but if all goes as planned, that’s the case for the June 9 Pride celebration in Ross. “We already have the date for next year,” Amy Bialek said, and it again will be on the second Sunday of June. She serves...
Bethel Park opens new Splash Park
Looking into a crowd of children wearing bathing suits in anticipation of being first-ever guests at the new Bethel Park Splash Park, state Rep. Natalie Mihalek decided to keep her comments brief. “I don’t want to be the one standing in the way of kids going to the splash pad,...
West View lands $1M in federal funds for Perry Highway revitalization
A revitalization project for West View’s main thoroughfare received a major financial boost when U.S. Rep. Chris Deluzio, D-Aspinwall, announced a $1 million federal investment in the borough. “West View came to me with a great project that supports streetscaping, that supports infrastructure improvements to make kids, families, folks with...
‘Very dedicated’: Bethel Park students celebrate reading accomplishments
Literacy lives on at Abraham Lincoln Elementary School, thanks to incentives for students to trade less-product pursuits for learning what’s inside books. “The Accelerated Reader program has been a tradition here at Bethel Park School District, and I’d say that Lincoln always really took it to another level,” school librarian...
Hampton offsets park-use costs with usage fees
To offset costs to the township, Hampton is charging groups for use of the community park during special events, including 5K races organized by nonprofits as fundraisers. New this year is a fee primarily aimed at covering the presence of police officers to ensure safety, according to parks and recreation...
Music of the Heart recital at Duquesne University offers opportunities to shine
Move over, Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran. You have company. “We are privileged to have close to 100 superstars ready to dazzle you with their talents and abilities,” Katie Harrill announced from the Mary Pappert School of Music stage at Duquesne University. “Some are stepping into the spotlight for the...
Hampton Township School Board adopts budget with tax increase
Hampton Township School Board voted June 10 to adopt the district’s final 2024-25 general fund budget and along with it, a real estate tax increase. The tax rate rises by 1.15 mills, from 21.85 to 23, a 5.3% increase that represents the highest Hampton is allowed under the index assigned...
Retirees honored at Pine-Richland commencement
Along with celebrating the Pine-Richland High School Class of 2024, the June 7 commencement honored two retiring staff members. Brian Scott served more than 27 years as high school band director and music teacher, and Michael Gasparetto founded the Junior Air Force Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps at Pine-Richland and...
‘Are you ready?’: Pine-Richland graduates move on to next chapter
As hundreds of soon-to-be graduates sat patiently, anticipating the awarding of diplomas and tossing of caps, their valedictorian posed a question from the podium: “Are you ready for the next chapter of your life? Truthfully, no. None of us are,” Avyutka Nagrath said. “At the end of the day, we...
‘10 Years Later, 10 Years Greater’: North Hills High School video pays tribute to predecessor
When she was in elementary school, Avery Gallagher saw a video featuring a mass lip-synching effort by North Hills High School students of the time. “It just blew me away,” she said. “It was kind of something that I had always seen and found myself going back to watch as...
Student commencement speakers instill optimism in Hampton Class of ’24
Inspiration for commencement speeches can come from just about anywhere. For Hampton High School seniors who gave addresses on behalf of the Class of 2024, sources included the title of a English-Albanian singer’s latest album and a bird that decided to settle in a family garage. Shane Noone, Tiffany Habib...
Team Friends helps beautify Indiana Township
If you’re traveling north on Saxonburg Boulevard and need to stop for the traffic signal at Route 910 in Indiana Township, take a look to your right. Beautifying the intersection is one of the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy’s 130 community gardens across the region, sponsored by Eichenlaub Landscape Inc., headquartered about...
Pine resident opens West Deer brewery
As is abundant among Western Pennsylvania beer drinkers, Paul Copelin tended toward a certain locally produced brand of low-calorie lager. “He is a Pittsburgh dad to the fullest, and he’ll never really try a lot of craft beer,” Pine resident Angela Bogacz explained about her father. “So I said, ‘Dad,...
‘Eternal thanks’: Hampton marks Memorial Day with remembrance
For those who could use a reminder about the purpose of Memorial Day, the longtime coordinator of Hampton’s annual remembrance provided ample edification. “Eternal thanks to those that have served and passed on,” Hal English said in welcoming guests to the May 27 ceremony. “Eternal thanks to those that died...
Review: Ann Wilson’s voice continues to propel Heart to performance heights
The key to healthy attendance for Heart’s Royal Flush Tour 2024 is the reunion of founding members Ann and Nancy Wilson following the sisters’ half-decade of estrangement. “We just decided that was ridiculous,” Ann announced between songs during the band’s concert Thursday at Pittsburgh’s PPG Paints Arena. “The time is...
‘It’s a Small World’: Project brings Pine-Richland students postcards from around globe
Given today’s technology, the concept of sending a “wish you were here”-type correspondence by so-called snail mail may seem rather quaint. But consider the reaction of certain Pine-Richland students on the receiving end. “It’s like that scene from ‘Willie Wonka’ where he has the golden ticket,” Alexandra Batouyios said. “They’re...
Walk for Water: Pine-Richland students learn not to take access for granted
Instead of simply turning on the faucet, imagine hiking for several miles just to obtain water. That’s the reality for millions of people throughout the world, and that’s what a group of Pine-Richland High School students sort of experienced on the hot, cloudless afternoon of May 20. Forty-plus members of...
Athletes at Aquinas Academy in Hampton ready for collegiate level
Small, as they say, can be mighty. “I think it’s awesome that at a school of our size, with 154 high school students, six of our seniors are going to be playing college athletics,” Leslie Mitros said. She is head of school at Aquinas Academy of Pittsburgh in Hampton, which...
Board approves next step in Hampton High School renovation project
Hampton Township School Board approved two firms to work on advancing the second phase of renovations to the high school, a project with an estimated cost of between $30 million and $33.2 million. On May 13, the board voted 8-1 for DRAW Collective of Mt. Lebanon to perform architectural and...
Hampton singer’s quartet wins Sweet Adelines regional competition with record scoreVideo
Shortly after they were married, Hampton High School graduates Michael and Allison Hengelsberg moved to Wisconsin. “I didn’t know anybody, and I saw an ad in the paper for free voice lessons,” Allison recalled. “And when I went down, here it was the local Sweet Adelines chorus.” Although she was...
