Harry Funk stories, Page 12
‘Born into it’: Hampton mother, daughter excel at competitive roller skating
Every four years, the winter TV schedule is dominated for a few weeks by competition among the world’s finest skaters. At least, that applies to the ones who take to the ice. “We’ve been trying to get into the Olympics for as long as I can remember,” Hampton resident Kathy...
Pittsburgh Chinese Cultural Festival paves way for Mid-Autumn holiday
Thanksgiving comes early in China. Compared with its American counterpart, the Mid-Autumn Festival starts about two months prior to the latter part of November, and those who celebrate it are more likely to eat sweet pastries filled with bean paste than succulent turkeys full of stuffing. As a prelude to...
‘Keep it from becoming a strip mall’: Plum farm joins state preservation program
Farmland may be disappearing from Western Pennsylvania, but some property owners are bucking the trend. Greg and Kim Serakowski of Plum, for example, guarantee that their 36 acres off Elicker Road is preserved in perpetuity. On Sept. 26, they greeted guests with custom-made ball caps and T-shirts to celebrate Serakowski...
Review: Peter Gabriel serves up show for 21st century at PPG Paints Arena
A concert that opens with a gracious, well-mannered monologue is bound to be far removed from the archetypal rock show. Tell that to the audience member who felt compelled to interrupt proceedings by shouting a song request that reverberated through PPG Paints Arena: “Games Without Frontiers!” Fortunately, two-time Rock and...
Strong support continues for Joey Fabus fundraiser in Bethel Park
Expressing gratitude can be a bit overwhelming, especially when there’s a great deal of it to go around. “We have a lot of people to thank. I can’t really list them all at this point,” Cindy Fabus announced to the crowd gathered Sept. 17 at Bethel Park High School. The...
From big metal things to little metal things: JAB Jewelry Works moving to former Bethel Park factory
Machinery manufacturer Hallmor Inc. began operating at 531 McMurray Road so long ago that it predated the 1966 adoption of Bethel Park’s zoning ordinance. When the factory closed and the property changed hands, new owners Joe and Karen Bonasso faced what could have been a setback for their business aspirations....
As Miss Pittsburgh, Bridgeville native promotes advocacy for survivors of assault
For Bridgeville native Madison Campbell, venturing into pageant competition was all about visibility. “I believe that by sharing my story out there, hopefully it helps other people feel comfortable coming forward,” the 2014 Chartiers Valley High School graduate said. Campbell is co-founder and CEO of Leda Health, an organization providing...
Tree removal launches Hampton pond-improvement project
Plans call for the removal of about 80 to 90 trees from the area around the pond near the southern end of Hampton Community Park. The clearing represents the first phase of a pond enhancement project to comply with environmental requirements with regard to storm water and eventually to extend...
Bond interest earnings benefit Hampton
Bonds issued by Hampton over the past few years are paying off handsomely. The township at various times took on additional debt “when interest rates were at their lowest in decades,” according to bond legal counsel Ronald Brown of Dickie, McCamey & Chilcote. “Within the last year or two, with...
Hampton Council appoints new municipal manager
Hampton’s first new municipal manager in 37 years arrives with a ringing endorsement from his soon-to-be-former boss. Ryan Jeroski, who will succeed Christopher Lochner in Hampton, has been assistant manager in Peters Township for seven-plus years. “He’s an integral part of our administration. He’s going to be sorely missed and...
‘Great potential’: Students impress new Gateway band director
However the saying goes about catching more flies with honey, Ryan Moser apparently prefers that approach. Gateway High School’s director of bands listened intently as his students rehearsed a short section of a song during a mid-September practice. Then he commended them on a fine-sounding performance, especially considering that it’s...
‘We have felt welcomed’: Fundraiser in Harmar celebrates belonging, honors 9/11 lives lost
And the winner: Everyone in attendance, except possibly a preferring-to-remain-anonymous guest or two. “Do we have any vegans out there?” John Vento asked, to a resounding silence. “Oh, good.” The West Deer resident and owner of Steamworks Creative listening room in Hampton served as master of ceremonies for the All-American...
‘Day One Sober’: Youngwood native Mia Logan explores cathartic side of songwriting
Going the autobiographical route for your first musical release represents a bold move. So does including lyrics along the lines of: Now I’m sleeping in the bed that I have made / Every day I try to fix my past mistakes Plus Youngwood native Mia Logan named that tune “Day...
‘Jammin’ Into Fall’ benefits Hampton nonprofit
Musicians have a history of helping worthy causes, and members of the North Hills band Altered Egos want to keep up the tradition. They’re the featured attraction for the benefit Jammin’ Into Fall for Spenser’s Voice, scheduled from noon to 4 p.m. Sept. 17 at the PA Market, 108 19th...
Franco Harris, Mac Miller join Pittsburgh personalities in Monroeville Mall mural
One of the most recognizable individuals in Pittsburgh history would shake hands with folks he met and introduce himself, as if they didn’t know, by saying: “Hi, I’m Franco.” The friendly, unassuming side of football legend Franco Harris is what artist Kyle Holbrook knew. “When I would text him or...
Bring ‘hobby and family together’ at Guy on the Couch in Monroeville
In the early days of serious card collecting, some shops had about enough room for a parent, his son and the clerk. When it comes to capacity and comfort, Guy on the Couch Cards & Gaming in Monroeville offers pretty much the opposite. From a children’s play area near the...
Plum musicians rock for Rustic Ridge
Support for Plum’s Rustic Ridge neighborhood continues with the help of some musically inclined residents. Janet Schoedel, who sings for the rock band Barracuda, and Ken Joy, drummer for MoJo — The Band, live near the site of an Aug. 12 explosion that claimed six lives. Their groups will join...
Marshall and Verona restaurateurs compete in benefit BBQ cook-off
Eat, drink and remember. An All-American Patriotic Barbeque Cook-Off scheduled for Sept. 11 serves the dual purpose of benefiting the nonprofit Team Friends, which provides socialization opportunities for adults with intellectual disabilities, while paying tribute to the lives lost 22 years ago. The event has a 5:15 p.m. registration time...
‘I could write a book’: Office manager marks 60 years of working for Hampton church
A sense of humor just may be the key to a long life. Look at some of the comedy-oriented entertainers who graced us for extended periods: George Burns and Bob Hope each lived to be 100, and Betty White, Eddie Albert of “Green Acres” and Larry Storch of “F Troop”...
Monroeville Public Library Fun Fest packs ’em in again
The parking lot next to Gateway High School’s Antimarino Stadium was full of vehicles on the afternoon of Aug. 26, but not for a sporting event. Across the street, Monroeville Public Library’s Fun Fest drew a crowd that required a bit of a walk for many in attendance, not that...
BigFuture scholarship stuns Gateway senior
At one point in preparing to further his education after high school, Gateway senior Rocco Matrazzo submitted information online for College Board’s BigFuture program. The specifics were kind of hazy for him when he was called to the auditorium stage during an Aug. 25 back-to-school assembly, but they ended up...
Chartiers Valley board rejects $158,500 change order in stadium renovation project
Chartiers Valley School Board voted against paying an extra $158,500 for a faulty aspect of the district’s high school stadium renovation project. At issue during the board’s Aug. 22 meeting was the need to repair the base of the stadium’s track, which was damaged by heavy construction equipment as the...
Review: Sizable ensemble delivers on George Clinton’s vision in McKees Rocks show
One of the many distinctive aspects of George Clinton’s 1970s-era music was his ability to integrate complex arrangements featuring a multitude of voices with eminently danceable rhythms. To take it to the stage, so to speak, the venerable leader of multiple bands brings a contingent of more than a dozen...
Scott Township Pool celebrates Swimmer Appreciation Day
A dreary sky and strong chance of precipitation pushed back plans for Swimmer Appreciation Day at Scott Township Pool. Some activities did occur as scheduled on Aug. 7, but the main event ended up taking place some 48 hours later. “It turned out to be an awesome day. We’ve got...
‘Notorious Pittsburgh’: Book tells tales from city’s seedy underbelly
A man of questionable business practices fishes in his pocket for the key to his Cadillac, which is parked in a dark alley. He probably hears the sound of approaching shoes as he attempts to enter the car. Soon, he is mortally wounded by four gunshots to the chest, shoulder...
