Joyce Hanz stories, Page 5
Aspinwall police investigating vandalism of Little Free Library
Janet and Wes Rohrer of Aspinwall are the proud stewards of two Little Free Libraries on their property along Third Street. They installed the libraries in 2011 — one specifically for children positioned at a lower height and one for adults — but an act of vandalism over the weekend...
‘Seldom Seen’ guided tour returns to Hartwood Acres Mansion
A once-popular behind-the-scenes tour that ended during the covid shutdown is back at Hartwood Acres Mansion. The Seldom Seen Tour, highlighting areas not shown to visitors during a regular mansion tour, returns Thursday. The unique one-hour tour was occasionally offered during the early 2000s through 2016. Feedback from other tour-goers...
‘Seldom Seen’ guided tour returns to Hartwood Acres Mansion
A once-popular behind-the-scenes tour that ended during the covid shutdown is back at Hartwood Acres Mansion. The Seldom Seen Tour, highlighting areas not shown to visitors during a regular mansion tour, returns April 17. The unique, one-hour tour was occasionally offered during the early 2000s through 2016. Feedback from other...
New teen director emphasizes inclusion at Sewickley Public Library
There’s a new face on the teen scene at the Sewickley Public Library. Caiden “Caid” Feldmiller started his new job as head of teen services on March 3. “It’s going great,” Feldmiller said. “I’m really focused on serving teens who maybe don’t have another outlet outside of school or don’t...
‘Ms. Z’, 88, valued volunteer at the oldest African American church in Sewickley
Helene Zacharias’s sweatshirt sums up her life credo: “With God all things are possible” is the logo on a favorite sweatshirt worn by 88-year-old Zacharias as she volunteered April 1 at her beloved church in Sewickley. She’s at St. Matthews A.M.E. Zion Church most days and walks there from her...
Coffee shop serves up community camaraderie in Blawnox
The Black Canary Coffee & Ice Cream coffeehouse takes its name from a DC Comics character of the same name and it continues to promote community camaraderie in Blawnox. Look for the heroine’s image on Black Canary T-shirts sold inside the independent java joint at 276 Freeport Road. Owner Rodney...
Mediterranean fare, popular outdoor mural fixtures of new Aspinwall eatery
A long-standing mural adorning the outside of a restaurant building is set to remain in Aspinwall. The former Luke & Mike’s Frontporch Grille is home to a colorful mural titled “Sunset Over Aspinwall,” designed and painted by artist MK Noonan, who worked on it for almost four months in 2014...
Indiana Township-based wedding officiant logs more than 500 nuptials
Michelle Trumble of Indiana Township is a marrying machine. “I’m a hopeless romantic,” Trumble said of her wedding officiant occupation of 16 years. When Trumble faced difficulties booking a suitable wedding officiant for her second wedding, she recognized the need for a professional and versatile wedding officiant in the Pittsburgh...
Leet Township volunteer dedicated to feeding, helping the community of Fair Oaks
Steph Turner grew up across the street from the Fair Oaks Volunteer Fire Department in Leet Township. A friend recruited her to volunteer during the fire station’s open house in 2002, and Turner has been helping ever since. “That’s when my love for the fire department really started,” said Turner,...
Jazzercise instructors blend fitness and fun in Sewickley
This isn’t your grandmother’s Jazzercise. That’s the message from Jazzercise instructor/owner Tamara Kemmler. “Jazzercise has been around for 55 years,” Kemmler said. “It’s the original dance fitness workout, and Jazzercise has evolved over the years.” The biggest Jazzercise myth Kemmler aims to bust is that classes consist of ladies prancing...
Old-world charm, historic gardens highlight estate for sale in Sewickley Heights
A 15-acre estate with nationally recognized historical gardens is on the market in Sewickley Heights. Poplar Hill is listed by Howard Hanna Realtor Caroll Ferguson for $3.9 million. The property takes in a hillside overlooking the historic Allegheny Country Club. In 2010, the Smithsonian Institution, in collaboration with the Village...
Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church Preschool nurtures learning through fun
Never underestimate the power of play. Emphasizing play through learning to encourage exploration and discovery and to promote confidence and understanding are cornerstones of Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church Preschool’s educational philosophy. “Allowing children this space is what FCPC Preschool does best,” said school director Karin Miller. The school is a...
Aspinwall man dedicated volunteer firefighter for SAVES
Jake Poznik of Aspinwall was born in Poland, adopted by an Aspinwall family and brought to America as a baby. He doesn’t remember coming to America but recalled a happy and fun childhood filled with bike rides all around the borough. Since then, Poznik, 30, has explored every inch of...
Learning Tree Preschool marks 45 years of tradition and fun in Sewickley
The Learning Tree Preschool has deep roots in educating tiny tots in Sewickley. Located in the Sewickley United Methodist Church, the school was formed in 1980 in response to a community need for an educational program for kids ages 3-4. The traditional co-ed preschool is enrolling for the 2025-26 academic...
Historic preservationist embraces volunteering roles in Sewickley
Teresa Duff of Sewickley is a preservationist force committed to her adopted community of Sewickley. Duff is a professional architectural conservator, owner and director of Lineage Historic Preservation Services. “Generally speaking, on a project I work in tandem with the project architect or engineer and work in the lane of...
Sewickley Academy student ditches technology for a screen-free semester
Arjun Kathju of Sewickley Heights has done what most teens would likely never consider. The 16-year-old Sewickley Academy sophomore went cold turkey on screen use, primarily with his cellphone and secondary with other digital/screen devices for three straight months while attending a high school academic program in Switzerland last fall....
Pro referee promotes youth football, cheerleading in the Fox Chapel area
Mary Jane “MJ” Evagash grew up in Troy Hill, not far from the roar of the Steelers games at the stadium. That early memory exposed her to sports as a youngster, and her love of football remains. She wouldn’t have it any other way. “I’m a proud fifth-generation North Sider,”...
Upscale, nature-inspired housing plan progresses in Fox Chapel
A niche housing plan is the result of two former Fox Chapel siblings determined to honor their late parents’ legacy and preserve the land of their beloved family homestead in Fox Chapel. Susan Bailey and her brother Dan Sciullo co-own Willow Farms, a custom home development in a country-like setting...
Nonprofit aims to provide farming opportunities for disabled individuals in Leet Township
Allison and Charles Hill are farmers-in-training. The Hills recently purchased 90 acres adjacent to their Leet Township home and launched Harvesting Hope Acres, a nonprofit farm that will be dedicated to helping disabled teens and adults. They announced the news on social media on Feb. 28 in hopes of cultivating...
Fox Chapel Area sophomore class fundraises for Surgicorps
The Fox Chapel Area High School’s class of 2027 is on a charitable roll. Students and class leaders hosted a month-long fundraiser for their winter charity outreach supporting Surgicorps International. The students exceeded their goal of raising $500 and donated $860 last month to the nonprofit dedicated to providing free...
Moviemaking club encourages student collaboration at O’Hara Elementary
It’s lights, camera, action for a group of O’Hara Elementary moviemaking students celebrating the release of their latest student-led short film. The O’Hara Elementary Movie Making Club recently completed a whimsical, Olympic-themed short movie that includes chocolate milk-loving alien cats. At the creative helm of the after-school club is fifth...
Aspinwall police seek suspect accused of harassing homes that display Trump flags
Aspinwall police are asking for the public’s help in identifying a man they say is targeting homeowners that display banners and flags with President Donald Trump’s name. Aspinwall Chief David Nemec confirmed Monday that two separate incidents involving the same male suspect occurred in the fall and most recently on...
Vintage-themed boutique relocating from Aspinwall to antique mall in Verona
A boutique store in Aspinwall is relocating to Verona. Dovecote’s owner, Jessica Rehling Vukmir, said news of the building at 20 Brilliant Ave. going on the market served as a catalyst to find a new ZIP code for her specialty shop known for its vintage-inspired items and antiques. Fox Chapel...
Fox Chapel Area High School Fishing Club stocks trout
Six student members from the Fox Chapel Area High School Fishing Club recently helped to stock trout during a fish field trip to Pine Creek Watershed on Feb. 19. Miles Carey, Nicholas Krist, Gino Pototo, Josiah Rivera, Evan Skvarla and Jake Williams assisted the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission with...
Sustainable fashion in demand at upscale consignment boutique in Aspinwall
A designer consignment boutique is doing its part to support and encourage sustainable shopping in Aspinwall. Nouveau Designer Consignment opened three years ago along Brilliant Avenue, offering discounted designer deals on clothing, shoes, jewelry and accessories for women and children. Owner Jessica Rehling Vukmir of O’Hara believes in the power...
