Harry Funk stories, Page 16
Generosity, celebration highlight Hampton High School Talbot Thon
An evening of fun and games started with an afternoon of celebration. Prior to Hampton High School’s Talbot Thon benefit event on March 31, students, staff members and people from the community gathered in the auditorium in a continuing effort to demonstrate their support for Aiden Hanna. Following several months...
Trivia Night champs crowned at Hampton Community Library
Thanks to folks like Betty Dixon, “Jeopardy” has been a mainstay of television since Ford made its first Mustang. “For years and years and years, I watched Alex Trebek,” she said about the show’s late longtime host. “There was a rule: Do not call between 7 and 7:30 unless it...
Verona sets meeting on plan for spending pandemic-related money
Residents of Verona are invited to learn more and share their opinions about a proposed budget for spending money the borough has received through the pandemic-related American Rescue Plan Act. A public hearing is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. April 11, half an hour before the start of borough council’s monthly...
Students at Indiana Township’s Blessed Trinity Academy excel in forensics
Fear of public speaking may be prevalent, but not among a group of Blessed Trinity Academy students. The Indiana Township school’s forensics team impressed judges with their oratorical skills, racking up numerous awards during its post-pandemic return to competition for 2022-23. As part of a forensics league for Diocese of...
Pizza for a Cause: Bethel Park event benefits Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
When it comes to culinary delights, plenty of people share Dale Himmler’s perspective. “I love pizza,” the Bethel Park resident said. “It really is my favorite food.” It ranks right up there for his son, too. Clayton Himmler was born with cystic fibrosis, a genetic disorder that can cause mucus...
‘Mullet on the Move’: Radio host brings hair style to Hampton, emulating country music star Morgan Wallen
Welcome the return of the mullet. Three decades after hockey legend Jaromir Jagr helped propel the hair style’s popularity in Pittsburgh, Cadillac Jack is bringing it back. Jack, the alter ego of WDSY-FM morning show host Tom Kapasis, launched a “Mullet on the Move” campaign in advance of Morgan Wallen’s...
Gateway club readies for regional robotics meet
Who says girls don’t like science? “At a very young age, before I could even walk, I was obsessed with technology: computers, anything,” Gateway High School freshman Bailey Blanton recalled. “That’s all I wanted to do. I would not play with Barbie dolls, nothing. It was all electronics.” So naturally,...
The mines of Bethel Park: Details presented by longtime industry professional
Longtime residents of Bethel Park are well aware of, or even may remember, a time when King Coal ruled local industry. At various points in the 20th century, seven different mining operations worked to extract combustible carbon from far below what used to be Bethel Township, leaving only a small...
Chartiers Valley community experiences what ‘makes CV worth celebrating’
Meet Ankle Biter, the industrial-sized robot built by a group of Chartiers Valley High School students. Its name comes from the mechanical grips installed near its base, which may be good for grabbing lower parts of legs but are solely are for the purpose of picking up objects and releasing...
South Fayette student adds to résumé with Disney Dreamers selection
A teenager who heads to Florida in March isn’t necessarily going on spring break. In fact, the accomplishments racked up so far by Prerna Chakkingal would seem to indicate that she rarely takes a break of any type. The latest feather in the South Fayette High School junior’s cap is...
Glass recycling becomes more convenient for Oakmont, Verona residents
Recycling bottles, jars and the like hasn’t been the easiest of pursuits since most waste haulers stopped picking up such items a few years ago. In Oakmont, the process has become more convenient thanks to the presence of a spacious new bin in the Second Avenue parking lot at Riverside...
Hampton students honored for outstanding artwork
For the 100th anniversary of the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards, Hampton High School made an impressive showing. Eleven students were honored during the March 13 school board meeting for earning awards in the Pittsburgh region of the presenting organization, the New York City-based Alliance for Young Artists and Writers....
‘Prophetic Voices’: Monroeville rabbi edits book providing relevance for biblical writings
The rabbi of a Monroeville congregation has taken the initiative to bridge an integral part of the Bible with life in the 21st century. “Prophetic Voices: Renewing and Reimagining Haftarah,” an anthology featuring 179 contributors edited by Rabbi Barbara Symons of Temple David, aims to bring relevance to a longstanding,...
First-year Chartiers Valley unified bocce team advances to state tournament
A first-year Chartiers Valley High School activity is providing a way for senior Marko Orbovich to honor an uncle who died of cancer. “He used to play bocce a lot, so I decided to play for him,” Marko said. Uncle B.J. no doubt would be enjoying the results. Marko and...
Bethel Park district judge honors Outstanding Citizens of Year
One has roots in Bethel Park going back several generations. The other moved to the municipality 11 years ago. But no matter when the family of each arrived, Lisa Jenkins and Pamela Tiano share the goal, with plenty on their résumés to prove it, of making their community a better...
Bids for Hampton trail project exceed estimate
As seems to happen frequently in most aspects of life these days, Hampton officials experienced sticker shock when they opened bids for the second and final phase of a trail project. The lowest of four bids for completing construction at Hampton Community Park came in at $655,000, well above the...
Plum Creek Masons plan first fundraising pancake breakfast
If the enticing aroma was any indicator, plenty of hungry folks are in for a treat when Plum Creek Lodge 799 Masonic Hall hosts its first-ever fundraising pancake breakfast. “This is actually our trial run today, to figure out any kinds of problems that we might have or anything that...
Lions donation helps Monroeville Public Library install new lighting
Monroeville Public Library has a brighter interior and will pay less for power, thanks to the installation of LED bulbs to replace decades-old fluorescent fixtures. Helping to pay for the project is a $5,000 matching grant from the Lions of Pennsylvania Foundation. “We are thrilled with the donation from the...
1,000 and counting: Volunteer with Monroeville-based Bridges Hospice creates ‘memory bears’ for families
They’re made from all kinds of clothing: pajamas, jeans, ties, scarves, socks, even a fur coat. One features a gentleman’s shirt that was a favorite of his grandson. “So he would go to bed with the bear every night, and it was like he had his grandpa with him,” Jeanne...
‘Passenger traffic declined so much’: Chartiers Valley railroads met same fate as train travel nationwide
Editor’s note: This article is the second of two parts. On Oct. 1, 1908, Henry Ford introduced his Model T as the first mass-produced “everyman’s car.” By 1931, the year historian John Oyler was born, Ford Motor Co. had sold more than 19 million units of the Tin Lizzie and...
Hampton Township School District presents Hues and Harmony
Just in time for athletes’ transition from winter to spring sports seasons, Hampton Township School District’s creative types have the opportunity to showcase their talents. The annual Hues and Harmony celebration is taking place throughout March, which happens to be both Music In Our Schools Month and Youth Art Month....
Plum students wow school board
A distinctive element of Plum Borough School Board’s monthly action meetings is the substantial amount of emphasis on students’ achievements. The Feb. 28 meeting, for example, opened with a variety of accolades and even a few musical numbers to a packed audience in the high school library. Showcasing their singing...
Gateway welcomes new directors for spring musical, ‘Mamma Mia!’
One is a former Radio City Rockette, as a dancer, director and choreographer. The other has acted alongside the likes of Eddie Murphy and George Lopez. Today, they’re taking on the task of succeeding a legend in local theater. Last spring marked the final Gateway High School production for Larry...
‘Nonstop laughter’: Riverview presents ‘Young Frankenstein’ musical in Oakmont
Perhaps you’ve seen Mel Brooks’ “Young Frankenstein” so many times that, to your wife’s dismay, you can quote right along with most of the script. For a musical spin on the cinematic classic, Oakmont is the place to go. “It’s amazing, the comedy added within the songs,” JohnPaul Bertucci said....
Bethel Park Interact Club ‘always looking to help others’
For more than a century, Rotary International has carried the motto of Service Above Self. The spirit seems to be alive for the next generation in Bethel Park. “I see a lot of kids who have a drive for community service, and they’re always looking to help other people,” high...
