JoAnne Klimovich Harrop stories, Page 6
Former Willow Restaurant on the market for $1.5M
Willow Restaurant was a dining staple for decades, but now, the spacious former restaurant property is on the market for $1.5 million. “This is a great location because it’s close to Interstate 279 and 79,” said Tim Fitzgerald of Keller Williams Commercial Real Estate. “And Sam’s Club and Target and...
Sewickley-based business group looking to grow its village
Every Thursday morning, members of BNI Village Connections gather at The Walter J. Brannon Community Activity Center in Sewickley to learn new things and connect with one another. “Networking is huge,” said Sewickley resident Chris Currier of CCM&A (Chris Currier Marketing and Advertising). “Especially for small businesses.” There are 12...
Jimmy Gregg, heart of Greenfield baseball, retires after 60 yearsVideo
After 60 years of dedicating his life to coaching and mentoring youths, Jimmy Gregg is not only synonymous with Greenfield Baseball Association but the neighborhood itself. “He is Greenfield baseball,” said Emily Pocratsky, whose children play in the league and who is the vice-president of the T-Ball league. “He loves...
Nazareth Prep in Emsworth hosts ground breaking for athletics and arts facility
Nazareth Prep doesn’t have any home basketball or volleyball games, nor can it hold school functions such as graduation. That will soon change. The private Catholic school in Emsworth announced an $8.5 million expansion that includes a state-of-the-art facility for athletics and the arts, which will be able to accommodate...
A free ride: USGA provides mobility scooters for spectators with disabilities at U.S. Open Championship
Mobility scooters – 176 of them — are lined up and ready to roll at the U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club every morning. This mode of transportation is for spectators with a disability or hindrance such as an injured leg. Riding the scooters is complimentary, courtesy of the United...
Fashion on the green: Spectators show their golf-inspired style at Oakmont
Golfers weren’t the only ones dressed for success on the links at Oakmont Country Club on Friday. Spectators displayed their fashion sense while walking outside the ropes among the thousands of fans during the second round of the U.S. Open championship. Allison Apke of Chicago was wearing a sweater with...
Jeannette couple doesn’t let U.S. Open put a divot in their wedding plans
Helena and Dylan Jesse will certainly have a story to tell about their wedding day. The couple from Jeannette didn’t allow the craziness of the hundreds of cars and thousands of people traveling along Hulton Road in Oakmont to stall their plans. They went ahead with getting married at 2...
St. Nicholas Roman Catholic Croatian Church in Millvale marks 125 years with a full house
St. Nicholas Roman Catholic Croatian Church in Millvale celebrated its 125th anniversary on June 1. The day began with a Mass celebrated by Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh Bishop David Zubik, along with other clergy. During his homily, Zubik recognized the ancestors who brought the strength and richness of the Croatian...
School for the Blind superintendent retires from education after more than 4 decades
A little free library sits outside Heidi Ondek’s home, and the symbolism of that little wooden box on a stand doesn’t go unnoticed by people who know Ondek, a Sewickley woman who has devoted her life to education. “My children gave me that little library as a Christmas gift,” said...
Betsy Wentz Interior Design expands to new trade showroom in Sewickley
Designer Betsy Wentz is her own newest client with a project that involves moving her business to an entirely new location that is much bigger. “We were running out of space,” said Wentz, surrounded by boxes of tiles and rug samples in her Walnut Street store in Sewickley. “We hired...
For the love of the game: Golf is a huge part of Sewickley Hills’ Carol Semple Thompson’s life
As Carol Semple Thompson sat on a couch inside Oakmont Country Club overlooking the ninth green, she reminisced about the game she’s loved her entire life. She was never in it for the green — she was in it for the greens. “I love this course, and I really loved...
Hosting the U.S. Open is worth the disruption to Oakmont Country Club members
With the U.S. Open coming to Oakmont Country Club next week, members can still schedule tee times for themselves — at other area courses. “The reciprocal courtesies kindly extended to Oakmont members during the U.S. Open allow for plenty of options,” said club member David Hickton, a former U.S. attorney...
Betsy Ann Chocolates helping to create candy props for ‘Hershey’ film
For the past month, Betsy Ann Chocolates has been creating products to be used as props from Hershey chocolate. The well-known West View-based candy company was invited to use Hershey products to fashion chocolate bars that represent what they would have looked like in the late 1800s and early 1900s...
New board reimagines Sewickley Valley Chamber of Commerce
The Sewickley Valley Chamber of Commerce is in a new era. The chamber is looking to broaden and strengthen its network by reinventing itself as a hub for business growth and community success, according to its new board of directors. “Local businesses now have a powerful new advocate with the...
Fundraising concert in Bell Acres will benefit Hair Peace Charities
Music is healing for Bonny Diver, and that’s what inspired an upcoming evening of performances by female singers to support other cancer survivors and raise money for Hair Peace Charities, which she founded. The organization helps women and girls in Western Pennsylvania with financial help to buy a wig needed...
Open for business: Restaurants, bars, shops ready for U.S. Open spectators, golfers
Located in Plum, Somma Pizza Restaurant & Sports Bar and Zen Restaurant and Sushi Bar are just a chip shot away from Oakmont Country Club. The establishments are two of many gearing up to welcome an onslaught of golf fans during the upcoming U.S. Open from June 9 to 15...
Fashion forward: Sewickley Academy graduate continues senior project for Dress for Success
When Kendall Sykes was a junior in high school looking for her first job, Elizabeth Sykes took her daughter to Bellwether in Sewickley. The Beaver Street shop features the latest styles from casual to evening wear, jewelry, shoes and home goods. “Over the past three years working at Bellwether, I’ve...
Women’s sports bar Title 9 opens in Pittsburgh’s East End
Friday was officially game day at the Title 9 sports bar. After a few months of pop-up events, the women’s sports bar in East Liberty is open. “Our pop-ups were packed,” said owner Sherree Goldstein. “We wanted to get a feel for how this would be received and we also...
Porcupine Needlepoint Shop in Sewickley a long-standing business
Nancy Schurman will keep you in stitches — she will make you laugh and also teach you how to do some of the finest needlepoint. Owner of one of Sewickley’s oldest businesses, The Porcupine Needlepoint Shop, she guides customers on how to select a hand-painted needlepoint canvas and use tapestry...
Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium welcomes new lion
The lionesses at the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium have a male companion. Hondo, an 8-year-old male African lion from the Idaho Falls Zoo, arrived at the zoo in Highland Park to join lionesses Abana and Scarlett. He and the lionesses will alternate being on view in their outdoor habitat. Typically,...
Inaugural Jim Roddey Leadership Awards honor 2 people who Roddey selected himself
Ethan E. Nicholas kept his promise. He learned that from someone who knew about doing what you say you’re going to do — Jim Roddey, the first Allegheny County executive and civic leader. In latter years of Roddey’s life, Nicholas told him that he wanted to create a leadership award...
Liberty Avenue project seeks to perk up key Downtown Pittsburgh corridor
Liberty Avenue needs a new identity. That was the message of the 13th annual Downtown Neighbors Alliance awards dinner Monday at the Wyndham Grand Pittsburgh. To develop that new identity, DNA is launching the Liberty Avenue Project, working with the city and state to improve a key Downtown corridor. “The...
Allegheny County Police Department mounted horse Henry retires
Police horse Henry attended the G20 Summit, two Super Bowls and two Stanley Cup parades, numerous protests, election gatherings, many Pittsburgh St. Patrick’s Day parades and appearances at Kennywood Park, which was his favorite spot, according to Allegheny County Police Sgt. Jason Donaldson. The 23-year-old, 1,800-pound chestnut-colored Belgian quarter horse...
Sewickley resident determined to have military banners ready for Memorial Day
John Dunn carries an 80-pound ladder throughout the streets of Sewickley to install military banners of veterans. “They deserve the recognition,” said Dunn, 63. “I don’t want people to forget what they’ve done.” Dunn has made it his mission to replace worn or damaged banners and install additional banners. His...
‘Champagne & Chapeaux’: Westmoreland Symphony’s annual soiree for a good cause
Tim Welty bought his daughter Annie Welty her first hat — a sailor style. A former teacher and principal in the Hempfield School District, Welty had wanted his daughter to go into education. But he knew her love was in acting and fine arts, inspired by her mother, Patricia Perrone....
