Harry Funk stories, Page 22
‘Nice to get them together’: Collier hosts event to meet first responders
No matter what the generation, children seem to have an affinity for firefighting. And so many of them who live in Collier enjoyed the opportunity to visit with the volunteers who serve their community, to try on their gear, and to have a close look inside the vehicles and at...
CollierFest, other events scheduled at Collier Community Park
Editor’s note: The Traveling Beer Market scheduled for Sept. 2, as listed in a previous version of this story, has been canceled. Collier Township hired a new parks and recreation director in June 2021. Within a few weeks, Josh Werner was busying himself with organizing CollierFest, a yearly community event...
Rev ‘Em Up For Kids returns to Bethel Park
If you like the “Smokey and the Bandit” movies, you’ll love Jim Gastgeb’s Pontiac. He has a 1977 Trans Am that looks pretty much like what Burt Reynolds drove in the Hal Needham-directed films, and Gastgeb even has life-sized images of the Bandit and Sally Field. No Jackie Gleason, though....
Independence work continues as school year starts in Bethel Park
The principal of Bethel Park’s Independence Middle School joined the staff just as plans for the building’s renovation were starting in earnest. “It’s very exciting, because you get to design the space and the instructional component together,” Racquel Sutton said. “And when do you ever have that opportunity? Every other...
Peters Township event benefits Always B Smiling activity center
As she spoke to a substantial crowd of people gathered on a bright Sunday morning, Kristin Huibregtse had difficulty holding back tears. “I know Bennett’s smiling down at all of this,” the South Fayette resident said, “and I’m just so happy and just love everybody here.” The occasion was the...
‘That’s how we remember it’: Legend of Drowning Fish endures as Bethel Park brewery marks 1st anniversary
So, two guys walk into a bar with a talking fish. Then they all decide to open a brewery together. “We say that’s a true story,” Pleasant Hills resident Don Tomino said. “We were drinking a little bit that day, but that’s how we remember it.” He and Mike Ameel...
Chartiers Valley implements AHN Chill Room program for all grades
They may not be able to take the proverbial chill pill. But this year, all Chartiers Valley School District students will have the opportunity to take walks to Chill Rooms. The district has expanded its partnership with Allegheny Health Network to offer an innovative support service from kindergarten through 12th...
‘No longer invisible’: Voter information shared at Chinese association’s picnic in North Park
Along with English and Spanish, voter services in Pennsylvania now are available in Chinese. “Many of our community members don’t know yet,” Stephanie Sun, executive director of the Governor’s Advisory Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs, said. “So that’s why we’re here, to share more resources and information.” She and...
Voter information shared at Chinese association’s picnic in North Park
Along with English and Spanish, voter services in Pennsylvania now are available in Chinese. “Many of our community members don’t know yet,” Stephanie Sun, executive director of the Governor’s Advisory Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs, said. “So that’s why we’re here, to share more resources and information.” She and...
Lyles love it: Couple celebrate launch of Mindful Carnegie
If you’ve never heard of an UTBAPH, they’re all over Western Pennsylvania. You generally can tell by their peaked roofs, trapezoid-shaped windows and the fact that each of them Used To Be A Pizza Hut. One of ’em is at 1001 Washington Ave., pretty much straddling the Carnegie-Scott Township line,...
Berklee welcomes Hampton graduate to staff
As far as prestige goes, consider that alumni of Boston’s Berklee College of Music have rung up a total of 320 Grammy Awards. When Caroline Collins was a senior at Hampton High School, she learned that Berklee had accepted her. But because of tuition considerations, she opted to attend Penn...
‘What we do is special’: Hampton’s Creative Hair Solutions receives Comcast grant
Hair loss hardly is limited to one gender. “So many times, I have women cry and just say, ‘Thank you for giving me my confidence back and making me feel comfortable to go out,’” Kristine Lewis said. Her Hampton business, Creative Hair Solutions, does have male clients. But for the...
Bethel Park celebrates life of teacher: Jon Gentile remembered by family, friends and fellow Phish fans
Ask the average music listener about the rock band Phish, and a likely response is either the faintest hint of recognition or a flat-out blank stare. But concerts by Phish — yes, that’s with a “Ph” — marked special occasions for Bethel Park High School teachers Jon Gentile and Rich...
Penn Hills celebrates first National Night Out
Penn Hills’ first National Night Out celebration almost started with a shower. As representatives of various organizations were setting up for the Aug. 2 event at Penn Hills Community Park, Western Pennsylvania weather refused to cooperate, temporarily drenching the proceedings. But by the time guests began arriving at Penn Hills...
Learning lacrosse: Camp for girls coming to Hampton
For 5-year-old girls, the tools of the lacrosse trade may seem to be a bit out of the ordinary. “Most of them have never seen the stick before,” Mariah Maxson said. As head coach of the Hampton Township Girls Lacrosse Club, she has the objective of teaching children as young...
Monroeville resident earns national, regional performing awards
First came a series of auditions for potential colleges. Then Kylie Edwards’ senior year at Gateway High School started, with major roles in a pair of theatrical productions on the horizon. As graduation approached, she turned in an award-winning performance in Pittsburgh. And after having earned her cap and gown,...
Scaling Seven Summits: CEO’s climbs raise money toward providing free hearing aids
Scaling North America’s tallest peak is difficult enough without temporarily losing a vital means of communication. “You’re on this rope, and you can’t talk to anybody because you have to be separated on the rope,” Julie Beall-McKelvey said. “In case one of you falls, you can’t be right next to...
Plum student goes for Girl Scout Gold
While they’re not quite like Olympic medals, Girl Scouts of the USA does have its Gold, Silver and Bronze awards. And Mackenzie Kmonk is about to wrap up the trifecta. Prior to entering 11th grade at Plum Senior High School, Mackenzie has spent part of her summer conducting a free...
Taxing situation: examining Hampton Township School District’s 2022-23 budget
The start of Hampton Township School District’s fiscal year means that tax bills have been mailed to local property owners. For the majority of them, what they owe this year is more than what they paid in 2021, primarily because of a 0.69-mill increase in the real estate tax rate...
Hot Wheels: Glass center’s demonstration van comes to Monroeville
The temperature rose to the neighborhood of 2,150 degrees Fahrenheit. “At least ideally, that’s where we want it,” Rob Warden said. “Once the glass goes below a thousand, it will break. So we call a thousand cold.” He and fellow artist Chris Ross arrived at Monroeville Public Library on July...
Vegan expo attracts healthy crowd to Monroeville Convention Center
Empty parking spots were difficult to find outside Monroeville Convention Center’s North Hall on the afternoon of July 16, demonstrating that what Amy Cotrill began in the 1990s has come a long way. The occasion was the Original Pittsburgh Vegan Expo and Festival, a multicultural showcase for plant-based food and...
Operation Dignity honors unclaimed veterans at National Cemetery of the Alleghenies
The number of U.S. military veterans who cremated remains are unclaimed runs into the tens of thousands, and probably a whole lot more. Fifteen were given a proper sendoff during July 15 ceremonies in Westmoreland and Washington counties, culminating with their being laid to rest at the National Cemetery of...
Bethel Park market includes particularly healthy option
With apologies to Popeye, the road to eating healthfully isn’t as smooth as simply gulping some soggy greens. “No one is asking anyone to just drop everything and start eating spinach,” Asanté Bierria said. “That’s not realistic, and that’s not how it should go. You’re putting too much pressure on...
Famous Ribs restaurant opens in Collier
The promise of good food knows no boundaries, including state lines. “I have actually made the trek out to Weirton to partake in some Dee Jay’s wings, and they did not disappoint,” Devlin Robinson said. “They were definitely worth the drive.” The state Senator from Bridgeville made the acknowledgment prior...
Veteran pilots discuss ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ after screening in Collier
Watching “Top Gun: Maverick” must be an experience that hits close to home for alumni of the U.S. Navy Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor Program. That’s the formal name what usually is called TOPGUN, the Navy’s school for flight officers in Fallon, Nev. Crafton native Evan Werner has been there and...
