As another year ends, community remembers Monroeville Mall’s heyday during annual ball drop
For folks who can’t stay up until midnight on New Year’s Eve, Monroeville Public Library’s annual ball drop at noon has become quite the tradition. The celebration began at the library several years ago but relocated to Monroeville Mall four years ago as its popularity grew. This year, festivities started...
PitCare Meals on Wheels delivers comfort, conversation, a few surprises ahead of holidays
Dec. 18 was a special day for PitCare Meals on Wheels recipients. In addition to the standard hot meal and bagged lunch, everyone received a cozy blanket, courtesy of St. Regis Parish in Trafford, and a “blizzard bag,” which was donated by the Monroeville Rotary. As the name suggests, the...
Retired electrician finds beauty in profession with art inspired by Tesla, Edison, ‘Star Trek’
Although he didn’t get started until his early 30s, Bruce Senchesen has made more than 100 sculptures using circuit boards, plastics, wires and various electronics. Sometimes the parts are new, but mostly Senchesen uses old pieces from thrift shops or the hardware store. “I look for oddball components,” the Monroeville...
10th annual Light Up the Night in Monroeville a success despite cold, tragedy in Australia
Even with frigid temperatures, the Chabad Jewish Center of Monroeville celebrated its 10th annual Light Up the Night on Dec. 15 in Community Park West. The evening marked the second night of Hanukkah, which starts on the 25th day of Kislev, the ninth month of the Jewish calendar. Because of...
Turtle Creek Valley Rotary provides essentials for 5 families thanks to donation from district office
Debbie DiLorenzo has been with the Rotary since 2008. She’s a membership chair, foundation assistant and Region 14 assistant governor. “I love Rotary and try to help out as much as I can,” DiLorenzo said. So when District Governor Felicia Mycyk reached out to DiLorenzo with the opportunity to help...
Members of Gateway High School’s Leader Academy choose the gift of giving
Actions speak louder than words — and Gateway High School’s Chick-fil-A Leader Academy continues to validate its motto “Impact Through Action” by putting ideas into practice. Members of the group chose to make the holidays a little brighter for some of their fellow Gators by setting up an angel tree...
Municipal manager talks ‘All Things Monroeville,’ including mall’s fate, town’s future
During Monroeville Rotary’s town hall meeting Dec. 4 at Monroeville Public Library, municipal Manager Alex discussed “All Things Monroeville.” Fittingly, Graziani was introduced by Rotary President Tim Little, who served as Monroeville’s manager from 2010 until his retirement in December 2023. Graziani said he met with Little around the time...
Gateway High School’s ‘Almost, Maine’ production a fitting debut for director
The first time Kaylie Wallace saw her grandfather, Larry Cervi, direct a play was about a decade ago when Gateway High School performed “Almost, Maine” — the 2004 show written by John Cariani. Recently, Wallace stepped into Cervi’s (dancing) shoes as the artistic director and choreographer at the nonprofit East...
Gateway School Board welcomes new directors; president, vice president maintain positions
During the Gateway School Board’s reorganization meeting Dec. 1, Janette Beighel, Rick McIntyre and Anthony Mock officially stepped into their posts. The new directors, along with inductee Leslie McBride, will each serve a four-year term. McBride was the only board member up for reelection. Judge Jeffrey Herbst read the Certificates...
Monroeville Historical Society keeps holiday tradition alive at Old Stone Church
A 54-year-old tradition continues in Monroeville. The annual tree-lighting celebration and holiday concert, hosted by the Monroeville Historical Society at the Old Stone Church, officially ushered in the season Nov. 25. “The first event was held in 1969, but years 2020 and 2021 were unfortunately missed due to the covid...
Gateway School Board examines expenses, approves new clubs as 3 directors end their terms
At the Gateway School Board meeting Nov. 24, directors voted on a recommendation to update the business manager’s contract with the district, which would cost an additional $10,000 from Dec. 1 through July 31, 2026. Director Robin Mungo expressed concern over the pay increase, while Director Jack Bova noted Mike...
Thanksgiving food prep more than a meal for Gateway’s family/consumer sciences students
The family and consumer sciences program at Gateway High School was busy the week leading up to Thanksgiving — just not with their usual cooking classes. Teacher Jamee Kovacs and her students were tasked with preparing Thanksgiving dinners for 15 area families, for a total of 50 dinners. “This is...
Monroeville author offers spicy and ‘delightfully cuckoo anthology’ for first book
On July 3, Heather Mohan and her childhood friend, Lisa Purdue, were chatting about life’s funniest moments. Mohan surprised Purdue — lovingly referred to as Quags, due to her maiden name Quaglieri — with a story her friend never heard before. The friends — who both graduated from Gateway and...
With state budget passage, Gateway School District anticipates $600,000 bump in revenue
During Gateway School Board’s study session Nov. 17, the board discussed the impact the state budget finally passing will have on the district. The district anticipates receiving a net increase of $612,021 in state revenue for the 2025-26 school year. Superintendent Guy Rossi stressed the amount still needs to be...
Monroeville library’s ‘Cozy Up’ fundraiser is all about the books
The Friends of Monroeville Public Library will hold the biennial “Cozy Up to The Library” fundraiser from 5 to 8 p.m. Dec. 6 at the library, which will be transformed into a festive winter market. The event, which offers free admission and cookies, allows shoppers to find items for baking,...
Gateway School Board approves new groups, spending
Monroeville’s Gateway School Board took several actions at its Oct. 27 meeting, unanimously approving a competitive cheer squad and a creative writing club, while again postponing a decision on new scoreboard software. New programs approved The board unanimously approved two new high school programs: • A competitive cheer group to...
‘It’s all about giving back’: Macy’s partners with Gateway School District to provide winter gear
Giving back is something Macy’s is passionate about. Every March, the department store focuses on food insecurities in its communities. Locally, Macy’s in Monroeville Mall works with Best of the Batch Foundation and Big Brothers Big Sisters. “It’s something we’re passionate about. It’s in our DNA,” store manager Danielle Meehan...
Monroeville transplants have long family history of military service
As the nation observed Veterans Day on Nov. 11, honoring those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces, the Boles family of Monroeville stands out for its deep, multi-generational commitment to military service. The tradition spans more than a century, from World War I trenches to modern-day naval medicine...
Private investigator, retired police chief talks shop at Monroeville library
John Hartman, a graduate of Gateway High School, built an extensive career in law enforcement before becoming a licensed private investigator and published author. The career path seemed almost predetermined for Hartman, the son of a Monroeville police officer. He would listen as his father discussed cases at the dinner...
Monroeville library features work of local sports artist
Eric Poole has loved sports and drawing for as long as he can remember, aspiring to be a cartoonist. While earning a writing degree from the University of Pittsburgh, the Ligonier native worked as a cartoonist for the school’s student newspaper, The Pitt News, from 2002 to 2004. Poole started...
Gateway will honor veterans, mark end of Vietnam War
While Veterans Day is an annual time to honor all American veterans, this year holds special significance: It marks the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War, which culminated with the fall of Saigon on April 30, 1975. Gateway High School social studies teacher Shawn Whelan and the...
Gateway parents request competitive cheer team, board laments state budget impasse
Erika Bouma, mother of a freshman student, asked Gateway School Board this week to approve a high school competitive cheer group. “Cheer is more than just a sideline sport,” said Bouma, who was accompanied by five other district parents. “These girls train and condition year-round.” She said a competitive squad...
Monroeville Heritage Day spotlights appreciation of history, preservation
The Monroeville Historical Society’s mission is to share the community’s history with the community, and its Heritage Day does just that, by bringing part of the community’s past back to life. “Visitors take a step back to frontier days when they visit the McGinley and McCully houses,” society corresponding coordinator...
Monroeville gathers to observe World Peace Day
The Rotary Club of Monroeville celebrated the United Nations’ International Day of Peace a day early this year, bringing together interfaith leaders and community members for a program focused on unity and diversity. The celebration, held Sept. 20, was anchored at the Peace Garden in Community Park West, which grew...
Monroeville Catholic school alum visits students, fundraises for cystic fibrosis
Michael DeSabato isn’t new to fundraising. Monroeville’s Bella Capelli Academy cosmetology school, owned by his parents, actively supports Jeremiah’s Place – Pittsburgh’s only free, crisis nursery providing emergency childcare for families in need. And DeSabato is a franchise owner of the Strip District day spa Clean Your Dirty Face, which...
