Joyce Hanz stories
New self-care, wellness studio 1st of its kind in Fox Chapel areaVideo
High school sweethearts Dan and Erika Scherling are using advanced technology to provide optimal wellness and health at their new business venture focused on self-care. The Ross residents opened Degree Wellness Fox Chapel on March 21 in Indiana Township. It’s one of two Degree Wellness locations in Pennsylvania — the...
Strawberry pretzel salad remains a dessert darling in Western Pennsylvania
Strawberry pretzel salad is a very non-salad sweet treat easily spotted with its colorful red and white appearance. The only thing salad-like about it is that it’s served cold. Otherwise, the salty and sweet dessert has a spot in many Western Pennsylvanians’ hearts — and stomachs. Amy Stivason considers the...
Shopping experience lauded at Sharpsburg’s Harvest on Main market
Harvest on Main Community Market in Sharpsburg’s business district just logged its first month since opening its doors, and operations are going smoothly, according to volunteers. The only hiccup thus far is an apparent delay in being able to accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits. Bonnie DeMotte, executive director of...
Abode Kitchen & Bar opens in Oakmont
A new dining destination is big on brunch in Oakmont. Abode Kitchen & Bar is the latest Oakmont dining option from restaurateur and entrepreneur John Keefe’s portfolio of borough eateries and bars. His others are Carnivores, The Pub at 333, Vinnie’s Tavern, Hoffstot’s Cafe Monaco, Michael A’s Italian and The...
Aspinwall filmmaker lets hometown roots shine in creative endeavors
Gavin Rapp is happiest when he’s creating. The 59-year-old Aspinwall resident works full time as a digital media specialist for FedEx, but his creativity extends outside his professional life with a passion for writing, producing and directing independent films. “I don’t golf, and it (filmmaking) was one of those things...
Discarded and forgotten objects serve as inspiration for art exhibit at Sharpsburg library
Pittsburgh-based artist Brad Bianchi collects forgotten and discarded materials from around the world for his art. Known as a reuse artist and for his one-of-a-kind furniture creations, Bianchi has works nationwide. One of his pieces recently was added to the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh’s permanent collection. “Every Piece: Art by...
Green a lucky color for Howard Hanna Realtor
Lauren Shepherd knows how to go green. She uses the primary color as her signature hue for her successful realty marketing campaign. She often is spotted around the Fox Chapel area in signature green outfits as a Howard Hanna Realtor and drives the “Green Machine,” the playful moniker given to...
1800s horse farm for sale, includes old letters found inside walls in Clinton Township
A sprawling 1800s equestrian farm on the market in Butler County has something most homes don’t — original letters penned by a gentleman to a lady of the house. “The love letters, all believed to have been written during the 1800s by a man to a young lady living in...
Sharpsburg Officer Daniel Sciulli retires after 30 years, lands full-time job at Duquesne University
Sharpsburg Officer Daniel Sciulli was retired for three days before he started another full-time job. The Shaler resident, who protected and served with the Sharpsburg Police Department for 30 years, counts himself fortunate to have had such a long career in law enforcement in the same community. Sciulli’s retirement was...
New hospitality group cooking up more dining, entertainment for Downtown Pittsburgh
There’s a new hospitality group ready to ramp up the Downtown Pittsburgh dining and entertainment scene this year — and beyond. The news of Legacy Hospitality Group was announced on Monday. It’s the newest business collaboration from the hospitality team of professionals behind restaurants Ritual House, Palm Palm, Shorty’s and...
Commerce community supports special-needs school in Hartwood Towne Centre in Indiana Township
A group of independently owned businesses in Hartwood Towne Centre, along with a professional drummer from Sharpsburg, are enriching the lives of special-needs students in Indiana Township. River Academy of Excellence, one of the only private schools serving special-needs students in Allegheny County, opened in 2023 in the plaza with...
O’Hara teacher named new executive director of Fox Chapel Area Adult Education
A preschool teacher with a penchant for Cheez-Its, succulent gardening, bird watching and serving her community is settling into a new leadership role with a well-established nonprofit based in Fox Chapel. Margaret Haas of O’Hara is the new executive director of Fox Chapel Area Adult Education. She began her new...
On the menu: Alligator meat grows in popularity in Western Pennsylvania
Muddy Waters Oyster Bar co-owner Diana Kucenic knows a thing or two about alligator. Her East Liberty seafood bar and restaurant, specializing in Cajun fare, has been serving up gator bites made from alligator tail since opening in 2015. “We put them on the menu because gator is more of...
Skilled handyman from Fox Chapel stands out for work ethic, reliability
Todd Perschke has built a successful handyman business serving the Fox Chapel area after a long career in the automotive industry. “I show up for work,” said Perschke of his commitment to providing home improvement and fix-it solutions to both commercial and residential folks in the Fox Chapel Area School...
Phone-free policy at Shady Side Academy Senior School making a difference, administrators and students say
Shady Side Academy Senior School senior John Ludden has one less thing to occupy his time during the school day. His cellphone. Ludden and his 400 fellow senior school students were met with a new cellphone policy implemented in August, exclusive to the Senior School, prohibiting students from using their...
Retired dentist shares life-changing benefits of somatics in free class at Fox Chapel library
Retired dentist Tom Capriotti discovered pain relief through somatic movements more than 20 years ago. Capriotti, 75, of Oakmont is a certified personal trainer and instructs a one-hour class for adults, Simple Movement Through Somatics, fon Mondays at Cooper-Siegel Community Library in Fox Chapel. Somatics are movements that teach the...
Cooked Goose Catering expands to Allegheny Township
A well-established catering company is expanding its operations with a fresh-express foods concept in Allegheny Township. Cooked Goose Catering, based in Oakdale, is readying its second location for its soon-to-open debut in the former Dobi Catering building, a longtime catering facility in the Alle-Kiski Valley. Dobi Catering was quietly put...
Steelers player puts Washington County home on the market
The home of a Pittsburgh Steelers player is on the market in Cecil, Washington County. Safety and special teams player Miles Killebrew played five games last season before suffering a knee injury. Piatt Sotheby representative Sal Bucci confirmed Killebrew has relocated to Tampa and the home is listed at $659,000...
Beyond churches, Western Pa. restaurants are reeling in diners with fish frenzy
The Lenten season ushers in a dining fish sandwich frenzy at many restaurants in Western Pennsylvania. Whether it’s fried, broiled or baked, fish Lenten specials are popping up on most menus, offering an tasty and easy way to enjoy fish — and keep your kitchen clean. Turn Fridays into Fry-days...
New indoor golf simulator lounge eyes March opening in Indiana Township
It’s always perfect weather to hit the links at a soon-to-open indoor golf simulator in Indiana Township. Swing 412 is scheduled to launch in March with 500-plus virtual high-tech golf games for all ages. The venue is for those interested in improving their game, learning golf play or just looking...
Family, creative career, cooking, skiing, hot yoga nourish soul of O’Hara resident
Chatting about life in Pittsburgh is one of Christopher R. Evans’ favorite topics. “I’ve lived here my whole life,” said Evans of O’Hara. Evans, 51, grew up in what he describes as “storybook” Churchill and previously resided in Shadyside and Fox Chapel. He moved to O’Hara three years ago and...
Mexico unrest prompts Western Pennsylvanians to rethink travel plans
Ryan O’Hare has been busy at work the last few days. The owner of Voyage Geeks travel agency is a professional travel advisor based in Pittsburgh’s Oakland neighborhood. The recent unrest due to widespread cartel violence and travel advisory level warnings in Mexico has had a lot of clients reaching...
‘Gray divorce’ on the rise as more seniors choose ‘I don’t’Video
Gray hair isn’t the only thing happening to some Americans as they age. More than ever, married Americans 50 and older are filing for divorce. The statistical trend has spawned the catchphrase “gray divorce” for the often gray-haired individuals choosing to end their marriages. Nearly 40 percent of divorces are...
Shady Side Academy sails away with rousing performance of ‘Anything Goes’
Love, hijinks and mayhem on the high seas rounded out a nautical performance of Cole Porter’s “Anything Goes” at Shady Side Academy. Performances were held Feb. 13-15 at the Richard E. Rauh Theater in the Hillman Center for Performing Arts. Led by The Gargoyle Society, the student performing arts organization...
Ready, set, fresh as Harvest on Main Community Market announces opening date in Sharpsburg
The long-anticipated Harvest on Main Community Market has announced an opening date in Sharpsburg. The nonprofit, fresh foods market will debut March 2, said Bonnie DeMotte, executive director of Second Harvest. The grocery store will feature a deli, freshly prepared to-go foods, a bakery, quality meats and cheeses, fresh salads...
