Sewickley man honored
Sewickley resident Tres Whitlock, Western Pennsylvania Area President of Gallagher, was this year’s honoree at the Wesley Family Services 2026 Gala, held March 20.
“I am thrilled and humbled by this nomination,” says Whitlock. “Wesley Family Services’ commitment to a Quality Whole Person Care approach — seeing and supporting the entire individual — is an urgent, powerful mission that resonates deeply with me. It is a privilege to stand alongside an organization whose CEO, Doug Muentzel, embodies the conviction that ‘where there is help, there is always hope,’ driving this critical work with unmatched energy and compassion.”
A Pittsburgh native who grew up in Fox Chapel, Whitlock’s professional journey spans two decades in the commercial insurance sector.
Whitlock was selected as this year’s gala honoree in recognition of his philanthropy and dedication to the community. His leadership and commitment have made a meaningful impact and inspired others to make a difference. Over the years, Whitlock has demonstrated a consistent passion for helping families through programming, donation drives and volunteer efforts.
Cleanup planned
Leetsdale will host its Earth Day Cleanup from 9 a.m. to noon April 25.
Volunteers will meet at the borough building for supplies. Lunch will be served afterward.
Call 724-266-4820 for more information.
Vacancies to be filled
Leetsdale council on March 12 accepted the resignation of Caitlin Gresham from the recreation board, and Robert Benedict from the planning commission
Volunteers are needed to fill those vacancies.
Resumes and letters of interest may be submitted to the borough office, 373 Beaver St.
Outdoor fitness funded
Leetsdale officials announced an outdoor fitness area at Leetdale’s Henle Park is now fully funded through grants.
The borough was recently awarded a $9,500 grant from the Allegheny County Health Department’s Community Improvement Project for Health Aging toward park improvements.
Officials said that grant will be used in conjunction with a $15,000 People, Parks & Community Foundation grant. No matching funds are required.
The new fitness/wellness area will be located between the basketball courts and the sidewall.
Five workout stations have been proposed, including a balance beam, flex wheel and other low-impact equipment designed to target the core and upper body.
There will be no treadmills, stationary bikes, bench presses or dumbbells.
The fitness area is part of a larger $500,000 recreational overhaul of the park.
Road repair paperwork
Sewickley Heights officials are working to finalize paperwork related to major road reconstruction.
Council voted 5-0 on March 16 to approve the Commonwealth Financing Authority’s Local Share Account Grant contract for the Backbone Road landslide repair in the amount of $990,730.
The action is subject to borough solicitor review. Council vice president Craig Kinney and councilman Thomas McCargo were absent. The grant comes with no matching funds required.
Borough manager Nathan Briggs said the project may go out for bid in June and be awarded in July.
Construction could start as early as August and take about a month to complete, weather permitted.
Backbone Road has been closed since landslides in mid-April 2024 caused significant damage to it between Little Sewickley Creek Road and Grouse Lane in Bell Acres.
Commission appointment made
Sewickley Heights officials appointed Mary Babour to the planning commission with a term expiring March 2, 2030.
Road closures approved
Sewickley council unanimously voted March 10 to approve the following road closures for events later this year:
• Chestnut Street and rolling closures of Academy Avenue, Beaver, Linden, Grant, Ferry, Chadwick, Thorn, Little, Washington and Pebbles streets from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 26 for the Sewickley Runners Club/Chamber of Commerce’s Sewickley Sundae 5K.
• Chestnut Street between Beaver and Division streets from 8 am. to 5 p.m. Sept. 19 for the Sewickley Chamber of Commerce’s Dot Day event.
• Broad Street between Beaver and Thorn streets from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 10 for a Fire Safety Fair.
Website update
Sewickley’s borough website, sewickleyborough.org, is being reworked as part of an ongoing update through CivicPlus.
Users may notice a change in pictures and various blue hues replaced previous color schemes.
Key links to information about borough services and operations are at the top of the main page.
Links to major institutions such as the Sewickley Public Library, Sewickley Valley YMCA, Sweetwater Center for the Arts, Quaker Valley School District and Sewickley Academy are at about the midway point of the main page.
More changes are expected to be made to make the website more user-friendly, borough manager Donna Kaib said March 10.
She hopes to have the site fully updated in the next few months.
Egg hunt
Edgeworth will host an Easter Egg hunt from 10-11:30 a.m. March 28 at Edgeworth Elementary School, 200 Meadow Lane. Registration is limited to the first 125 children, ages 12 and younger.
Cochran Hose Company will have its fire trucks out for families to explore.
Coffee and hot chocolate will be served from 9 a.m. to noon.
More information is available on the borough’s Facebook page.
Sewickley Civic Garden Council fundraiser
The Sewickley Civic Garden Council invites the community to support its mission while enjoying an evening that connects gardening, creativity and good company. “From Garden to Glass: The Crafting of Herbal Cocktail Mixers” will take place on April 16 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Edgeworth Club.
The event will feature Steve Zyck, founder of Wood Stove Kitchen, a New Hampshire-based company known for its small-batch botanical cocktail and beverage mixers. Zyck’s journey into the world of flavors began not in a bar or restaurant, but in his home kitchen tucked away in the New Hampshire woods — and with a love of mulled wine.
After more than a decade working with international aid organizations in countries including Afghanistan, Syria and Yemen, Zyck spent time in Austria and Germany, where he fell in love with the fragrant, spiced wines of winter markets. Back home, he began experimenting, creating a mulled wine mix with oranges, cranberries, cloves and cinnamon, followed by a hot toddy blend of honey, ginger, lemon and warm spices. Those early experiments sparked a new chapter and the launch of Wood Stove Kitchen nearly six years ago.
Today, the company produces concentrated, small-batch mixers sweetened with New Hampshire clover honey and made with thoughtfully sourced ingredients. Flavors such as Blackberry & Sage, Blueberry & Lavender, and Grapefruit & Rosemary are designed to pair beautifully with spirits, wine, or sparkling water — or to stand on their own as nonalcoholic drinks. Zyck’s original mulling syrup and soothing hot toddy mix remain among the company’s offerings.
At the April 16 fundraiser, Zyck will share his story and discuss how botanical ingredients move “from garden to glass,” while guests sample a selection of his mixers and enjoy appetizers in a relaxed, social setting.
Tickets are $135 per person. Admission includes appetizers, two drink tickets, and an evening of conversation and camaraderie. Tickets are available online at sewickleygardens.com.
Funds raised will support SCGC’s ongoing beautification projects, partnerships with local organizations, and educational programs — helping ensure that Sewickley’s public spaces continue to flourish for generations to come.
Want to learn bridge or need a refresher?
If you’ve ever wanted to learn how to play bridge, one of the world’s most popular card games, now is your chance.
Beginning Bridge lessons will be offered for seven consecutive Tuesdays, starting March 31, at the Sewickley YMCA.
The lessons will be from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
The cost is $75 per person and includes a textbook, handouts and at-table game playing assistance.
The lessons are aimed for people 16 and older, new players and/or players who are returning to the game and need a refresher.
Bill Holt, a Diamond Life Master, teaches the basic concepts and joy of bridge, which is the perfect way to learn. It is team-taught by the Pittsburgh Bridge Association. Come solo or bring a friend — no partner is needed. This is a great way to keep your mind sharp and meet new friends.
To register, visit sewickleyymca.org/bridge.
Leetsdale 4th of July
The Leetsdale 4th of July committee is hosting a pancake breakfast fundraiser from 9 a.m.-noon April 4 at in the community room in the borough building, 373 Beaver St. The menu includes pancakes, scrambled eggs, sausage and a beverage. Cost is $12 for adults and $6 for children under 10. Takeout is available. Immediately following the breakfast, there will be an Easter egg hunt in Henle Park. For more information, contact lbakerseymour@gmail.com or szahner1@yahoo.com.
The committee is also looking for parade participants. Create a float, decorate your bike or just create a theme and walk. Join the historic 250th anniversary celebration of the United States on Saturday, July 4, and continue a tradition that dates back to 1943 in the borough.
To participate, contact Scott Zahner at 412-720-0298 or email szahner1@yahoo.com.
Easter Egg Hunt
Leetsdale will host its Easter Egg Hunt from 2 to 4 p.m. April 4 in Henle Park. Children should bring a basket or bag.
Sweetwater summer camps
Registration is open for summer camp at Sweetwater Center for the arts, which now have flexible scheduling designed to support families all summer.
Community feedback showed the need to expand the camps all day through the summer. Expect children of all ages to explore their artistic side, meet new friends and be surrounded by creativity.
Camp options include:
• Early Childhood Camps (ages 4-6): 9 a.m.-noon. Imaginative, hands-on mornings filled with artmaking, clay and culinary exploration in a nurturing age-appropriate environment.
• Children’s All-Day Camps (ages 7-11): 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Gives kids more time to create, connect and dive deeper into their artistic interests— and families the flexibility of an all-day program.
• Teen Camps (ages 12-15): 1 p.m.-4 p.m. Offers skill-building and creative growth just for teens; select programs are offered as a full-day experience.
Class registration is open, and camps fill up fast.
For more information or to register, visit sweetwaterartcenter.org.
Outing with the Easter Bunny
The Big Sewickley Creek Volunteer Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary is hosting Cookies and Carrots with the Easter Bunny from 1 to 3 p.m. March 28 at 1850 Big Sewickley Creek Road.
There will be an Easter egg hunt, crafts, raffles and photos. The event is designed for children 10 and younger with their caregiver. The cost is $5 per child.
Check-in will start at 1 p.m., followed by the egg hunt at 1:30.
Please bring your own basket or bag to collect the eggs.
For details, visit bellacresborough.org.
Sewickley Academy offering summer programs
Registration is open for Sewickley Academy’s summer programs.
A robust variety of enriching and impactful programs in academics, athletics, technology, and visual and performing arts are available. The programs, operating the week of June 8 through the week of July 27, are led by faculty members and partner organizations.
Half- and full-day options are available.
To register and learn more, visit sewickley.org/summer.
Slow Tech Film Series offers free screening
The Slow Tech Film Series, being held at The Lindsay Theater, features free screenings focused on technology and its impact on young people.
Next up is “Can’t Look Away” at 7 p.m. April 13 (13 and older). “Can’t Look Away” will include a Q&A with a mental health professional.
Kindergarten registration open
Quaker Valley School District kindergarten registration for the 2026-27 school year is open.
District policy states a child should be 5 by Sept. 1 to enroll in kindergarten.
Families of children who will be 5 by Oct. 1 should read the district’s policy for early admission.
In addition to proofs of residency and age, the Department of Health requires up-to-date immunization records to be submitted. More information is available at qvsd.org.
BROADcast Concert Series is free, open to public
The BROADcast Concert Series returns this spring with concerts at Sewickley United Methodist Church.
Proceeds from the concert benefit the restoration and preservation of the church’s historic 1909 Möller pipe organ.
The Academy String Quartet presenting Domestic and Imported Lyricism will perform at 7:30 p.m. April 13.
All concerts are free and open to the public.
Visit www.cwmfdn.org for details.
Tapas Talks to explore wellness, photography
The Tapas Talks’ 2026 season includes Holistic Health & Wellness: A Functional Medicine Perspective on May 7 and A Photographer’s Journey: From the Gridiron to the Garden on Oct. 22.
Each session is held at Allegheny Country Club and includes an engaging talk, live music, tapas, dessert and complimentary valet parking.
To register, visit tapastalks.com.
Business Connection
Greater Pittsburgh Business Connection, a referral group of business professionals, will meet at Eat N’ Park on Route 60 in Robinson for breakfast from 7:15 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. on March 25. Speakers will be Elissa Moore of Piatt Sotheby’s International Realty and Bill Forde of Keller Williams Commercial. To attend, become a member, or, for more information, visit gpbc-pgh.org or call 412-364-6446 ext. 302.
AUP inviting singles 50-plus to join
The Association of University People invites singles 50 and older, who are four-year college graduates, to join them for activities and to meet new people.
Activities to name a few are happy hour, brunches, lunches, dinners, meet-ups at music venues, a nontraditional book group, day trips and Scrabble.
Those interested can attend three activities as guests before joining.
To obtain more information about AUP, the activities or become an AUP member email Group AUPSingles@gmail.com.
Fern Hollow Nature Center
Fern Hollow Nature Center, 1901 Glen Mitchell Road in Sewickley, offers a diverse series of adult educational programs led by Naturalist Janel Morrison. The upcoming season promises a blend of hands-on workshops, interactive presentations, and guided outdoor explorations designed to connect the community with the natural world.
As spring arrives, the center will take its education into the field. On April 7, Morrison will team up with Environmental Educator Sam Burke for a “Flora & Fauna Hike” through Sewickley Heights Borough Park. The hike is designed for adults and families to discover how local ecosystems change from the meadows to the woods. The cost is $7 for members and $10 for nonmembers. Registration is required.
Fern Hollow’s Fiddlehead Club has announced a Spring Break Edition featuring two separate days of programming. Register for either Monday, March 30, Tuesday, March 31, or both. Children will explore the outdoors by hiking to the pond to search for amphibian eggs, discovering signs of new plant growth, and looking for animals waking up from winter hibernation. Through hands-on exploration and guided activities, kids will learn how plants and animals change with the seasons while building curiosity and respect for the natural world. Interested families can find more details and registration information online.
The late spring schedule includes two unique workshops:
• May 13: “Crazy Carnivorous Plants,” an exploration of Venus flytraps and pitcher plants, where participants can take home their own specimen.
• June 10: “Rock Gardening & Hypertufa Container Construction,” a creative workshop blending horticulture and design.
Programs are held on Wednesday evenings from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Some workshops require additional material fees.
For more information or to register, visit fhnc.org/adult-programs.
21st Colosimo golf outing
The 21st annual Anthony Colosimo Memorial Golf Outing is set for June 5 at the Beaver Valley Golf Club, 725 Sixth Ave. in Patterson Heights, Beaver Falls.
The cost is $150 per golfer until June 1. Golfer fees paid after June 1 will increase to $175.
Those wishing to sign up as a foursome must register by June 1.
Registration at the event starts at 8 a.m. Coffee and doughnuts will be served.
A shotgun start is set for 9 a.m. followed by lunch at 2 p.m.
Sponsorship opportunities are available from a $100 tee or green sign to a $1,000 gold package that includes golf and lunch for four.
All proceeds benefit the Quaker Valley Rotary Foundation.
For details, call 724-846-2212.
To have your event or information listed in our briefs section, email Katie Green at kgreen@triblive.com.
