Faces of the Valley

Faces of the Valley: 6-year-old BMX racer from Tarentum climbs to No. 1 national ranking

Not long after she began to walk, Elliana Zimmerman learned to pedal. The Tarentum youngster, now 6, went from a Fred Flinstone-style balance bike to pedaling — quickly — around a bumpy BMX track, according to her mother, Alexis. “When she was little, it made me nervous,” Alexis said. “She...
Faces of the Valley: Teacher provides special experiences for New Ken-Arnold kindergarten students

Julie Erb remembers one of her kindergarten students years ago telling her all they wanted for Christmas was a blanket. “A lot of kids, we don’t know them. Kids in the past have told me there’s no Christmas tree at home,” said Erb, a kindergarten teacher at Martin Elementary School...
Faces of the Valley: Harrison’s Bill Porter revels in connections made through Salvation Army kettle campaign

Bill Porter likes to talk. It’s a good thing, since he spends about seven hours a day chatting with strangers as a bell-ringer for the Brackenridge Salvation Army Red Kettle campaign. He sets up outside Giant Eagle at The Waterworks five days a week and says he revels in making...
Faces of the Valley: Giuseppe Lopreiato of Brackenridge credits old-school work ethic — and wine — for success

Giuseppe Lopreiato immigrated from Italy in 1960 with nothing but a strong work ethic and a knack for making wine. His wife, Maria, came first, settling with family in Brackenridge. Lopreiato stayed behind in his native Sant’Onofrio, working as a farmer and saving money to eventually follow. “It’s good here,”...
Faces of the Valley: Oakmont author celebrates faith, unique genre in breakout book

Glenn Armocida has lived many lives in his 66 years. The Oakmont author started his journey as a writer at a young age while growing up in Plum. Even then, he enjoyed reading and creating his own stories. With support from his parents and teachers, he attended the University of...
Faces of the Valley: Tarentum pastor marks 50 years in ministry, counts puppets, baseball as passions

Pastor, puppeteer and avid Red Sox fan. That’s how the Rev. Bob Dayton describes himself. Parishioners at Central Presbyterian Church in Tarentum, however, go further in their descriptions: supportive, worldly and well-rounded. “I have nothing but good things to say about him,” Barb Diller said. “When he first came to...
Faces of the Valley: Buffalo Township teen earns prize in World War II essay contest

Logan Smith, 13, said he didn’t know much about the Battle of Midway in World War II before he began to pen an essay about it earlier this year. But the Buffalo Township teen said he read up on the fight and submitted his text to the American Battle Monuments...
Building the Valley: New Lower Burrell salon has ‘modern, antique vibe’

Hayley Lorent’s goal when she started in cosmetology as a 15-year-old was to own her own business one day. A decade later, at age 25, Lorent has opened Velvet Shears at 2948 Leechburg Road in Lower Burrell. “I like that it’s Leechburg Road-facing,” said Lorent, of West Leechburg. “It was...
Faces of the Valley: Upper Burrell’s Betty Beestrice has township’s history at her fingertips

If you want to know something about Upper Burrell, ask Betty Beestrice. You’ll not only get a detailed answer, but after she sifts through the numerous pictures, newspaper clippings and other documents she and her late husband, Bill, have collected over the years, you’ll walk away with at least 10...
Building the Valley: Fawn’s Eddy Woodworking a family rite of passage

Woodworking isn’t easy. But 78-year-old Larry Eddy makes it look that way. He — and his family — have been turning flat pieces of plywood into 3D art walls at his woodworking shop off Route 908 in Fawn. The interactive, tactile walls are ordered by West Deer-based TFH Sensory Needs...
Faces of the Valley: Tarentum’s Bob Sims, 95, earns title as longest-serving firefighter in the borough

Friends of Bob Sims call him “the War Horse.” To his family, the 95-year-old born and raised in Tarentum is “Pappy.” Last week, Sims earned a new title — the longest-serving firefighter in the Tarentum Volunteer Fire Department, which consists of Highland Hose, Eureka Fire-Rescue and Summit Hose. Sims has...
Building the Valley: New Lower Burrell dance studio aims to build students’ confidence

Tara Crowe remembers being asked why children should sign up for dance lessons. Her answer? For them to have fun, grow and have positive experiences. A lifelong dancer, Crowe hopes to do just that at her new studio, TC Dance Collective, which opened this summer at 3012 Leechburg Road in...
Faces of the Valley: Alyce Olszewski keeps busy for 72 years at Harrison tax agency

As long as Michael McKechnie is Harrison’s tax collector, Alyce Olszewski will be right by his side. After all, she has worked for the McKechnie family for 72 years. Olszewski started working for McKechnie’s father, John, in 1953. She was fresh out of high school, looking for a company that...
Building the Valley: Spokes bike shop is back, this time in Vandergrift

Tim Carson is all about positive energy, good vibes and high vibrations — but most of all, bikes. “The glory of bicycles, for me, (is) it has always been a stress reducer,” he said, standing next to a workbench covered in tools and bike parts. “I always say: Bikes change...
Vinci Winery coming to downtown New Kensington in old-school Italian style

A new establishment in downtown New Kensington brings together three of Sam Iovino’s passions: wine, cigars and food. “I’m old-school Italian. I believe in entertaining,” said Iovino. “I love entertaining and getting people together.” Iovino, 56, of Monroeville plans to open Vinci Winery at 1021 Barnes St. on July 9....
Faces of the Valley: Lower Burrell musician on her way to Berklee College of Music

Even if you haven’t heard of Elliana Koulouris, if you’ve attended a live event in the Alle-Kiski Valley, you’ve probably heard her voice. The Lower Burrell teenager has made a name for herself over the past six years singing at events, games and festivals, performing in theater, and writing and...

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