Joyce Hanz stories, Page 62

Joyce Hanz
Joyce Hanz
Pope Francis, first Latin American pontiff, dies at 88
Daytrippers: Head to historic Harmony
Looking for a day trip replete with history, food and maybe a little weaving? Look no further than the little town of Harmony. Packed with early American history, Harmony offers visitors old-world German charm amidst specialty shops, eateries and preserved buildings. Tourists frequent annual Harmony events including a German Christmas...
Pittsburgh’s Amateur Astronomers share their passion for night sky
It’s a party with a plethora of stars. But not the celebrity kind. Explore the night sky and learn about astronomy at star parties. They are sponsored by the Amateur Astronomers Association of Pittsburgh at its two observatories — Nicholas E. Wagman in Deer Lakes Regional Park (Allegheny County) and...
Leechburg Cemetery Co. seeks assistance with grounds maintenance 
The Leechburg Cemetery Company doesn’t have enough volunteers to maintain the grounds that command a hill off of Pershing and Evergreen roads. Knee-high grass and weeds compete with numerous Memorial Day flags recently placed on tombstones at The Leechburg Cemetery. Volunteer and borough resident Larry Boehm squeezes in time mowing...
Winfield Winery is a hidden gem in Cabot 
Combining heritage with hobby is the concept behind Winfield Winery in Cabot. Italian winemaker John Ricchuito opened his rural winery on the grounds of his Winfield Township home he shares with wife, Linda, in 2006. “I read a lot, learned things off of the internet and decided I was going...
Oakmont pub crawl raises money to fight multiple sclerosis 
Cheers, beers and charitable endeavors are on tap in Oakmont. The 20th annual MS Pub Crawl fundraising event is set for Saturday . A pub crawl is when individuals drink in multiple pubs or bars in a single day, or night, or both. All proceeds benefit the National Multiple Sclerosis...
Cranberry’s Rollaway Dog Cafe serves up treats on the go 
Pittsburgh-area pups have something new to wag their tails over. The Rollaway Dog Cafe, based in Cranberry Township, Butler County, is the only mobile dog food and treat truck around. “We specialize in treats your dogs can come to the window to order and eat right on the spot,” says...
Valley set to put on colorful ‘Dreamcoat’
Valley High School Drama Club junior Adam Richardson will be making his stage debut in the lead role of Joseph, donning the iconic coat of many colors in the musical in “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” April 11-14 at Valley High School. “I love the coat. I love how...
St. Joseph High School stages Lin-Manuel Miranda’s ‘In the Heights’
St. Joseph High School tackles a “new classic” — “In the Heights.” Before “Hamilton” swept the musical theater world by storm there was “In the Heights.” Lin-Manuel Miranda wrote the music and lyrics, starring in both. “In the Heights” garnered numerous top industry honors including Best Musical, Choreography, Original Score...
Join in the fun with Burrell’s ‘The Mystery of Edwin Drood’
Audience participation is not only expected as Burrell High School presents “The Mystery of Edward Drood,” it’s required says Burrell musical director Martin Connolly. “The audience gets to vote and decide who the murderer is at the end of the show,” Connolly says. “And then based on that we will...
Springdale takes a chance on ‘Mamma Mia’ 
The global sensation “Mamma Mia” lands on the Springdale Jr./Sr. High School stage March 29-31. “I like the fact that this musical is contemporary. We can do a lot with that,” says Emily Plunkett of her lead role as Sophie. The global smash hit musical takes place on a tiny...
Highlands High School presents ‘The Hunchback of Notre Dame’ 
Highlands High School presents the only Pittsburgh area high school musical production of “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” March 29-31. Based on the French novel by Victor Hugo and songs from the Disney animated feature, this production is the largest to grace the Highlands stage under the direction of Highlands...
Kiski Area goes classic with ‘The Sound of Music’ 
Everyone’s favorite singing nun returns as Kiski Area High School presents “The Sound of Music” March 27-30. “Coming off the heels of a no-dialogue show like last year’s “Joseph,” this year’s show will provide audiences with a nice contrast as we return to a more traditional and classic musical favorite,”...
Fox Chapel tackles challenging ‘Les Miserables’ 
Fox Chapel Area High School presents “Les Miserables School Edition,” on March 14-17. This adaptation of the classic musical by Alain Boubil and Claude-Michel Schoneberg, based on the French novel by Victor Hugo, is the world’s longest running sung-through musical and the third longest running musical in Broadway history. Winner...
Leechburg Area High School presents ‘Anything Goes’ 
Leechburg Area High School sets sail with “Anything Goes.” Director Alyssa Bruno Walls said she chose “Anything Goes” because the student talent is “so there” this year for the nautically themed classic that includes music and lyrics written by Cole Porter such as “It’s Delovely,” “I Get a Kick Out...
Freeport thinks pink with ‘Legally Blonde’ 
“Omigod! Omigod you guys.” Freeport Area High School thinks pink as it presents “Legally Blonde: The Musical” March 14-17 at the Freeport Middle School. Based on the smash comedy 2001 film starring Reese Witherspoon, it’s the story of a rich sorority girl named Elle Woods and her creative mission to...
Apollo-Ridge presents the upbeat ‘The Music Man’
Apollo-Ridge High School presents “The Music Man” Feb. 28- March 2. Trouble comes to River City when a fast-talking con artist salesman falls for Marian the town librarian in the classic six-time Tony Award-winning musical comedy. Musical director Bethany Greenlee said she chose “The Music Man” to showcase the talents...
Cooper Station Restaurant abruptly closes in Winfield Township 
The landmark Cooper Station Restaurant has abruptly shut down. The popular restaurant along Route 356 in Winfield Township posted a closing notice Monday on its Facebook page. “Effective immediately, Cooper Station Restaurant will be closed indefinitely. Thank You, Management,” the notice read. The signs posted on the locked double doors...
Customers flocked to opening of Allegheny Township chicken joint 
There’s a new chicken joint in Allegheny Township. Big Shot Bob’s House of Wings opened last Monday, Feb. 11 in Kiski Park Plaza. Customers were lined out the door, according to co-owner Kara Jo Brank. Brank and her husband, Frank, left the corporate world for the culinary scene. After downsizing...
Highlands senior champions ‘feeling good in your own skin’ 
“Let me take a selfie.” That familiar phrase is a daily norm for Highlands High School senior Olivia Grace Fertig. Fertig, 18, of Tarentum has almost 12,000 followers and subscribers on her Instagram and YouTube social media accounts. “I post a lot of make-up, fashion and daily life on there,”...
Visit by Brinley the pig is a hit with Leechburg students
A potbellied pig ruled the school this week at David Leech Elementary. Brinley, a 3-month-old kunekune mixed-breed pig from Gilpin, visited students in grades K-5 this week to promote PIG WARS, a new fundraiser sponsored by the PTA. The pig was welcomed by teachers in each classroom, receiving much attention...
Wine lounge, eatery to open in vacant Rankin church 
A family of five from California is on a renovation mission in Rankin. The Stasinowsky family from Sacramento purchased the former Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church in Rankin from the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh in February 2018 for $50,000. They are creating a new, unique destination they...
Cruze Bar to close in Pittsburgh, plans farewell bash
A landmark gay bar in Pittsburgh’s Strip District is closing. Cruze Bar opened seven years ago along Smallman Street, providing a destination dance, bar and lounge experience for members of Pittsburgh’s LGBTQ+ community—offering a classic dance club environment and garnering a faithful customer base. But new development is on the...
Asperger’s can’t stop Highlands middle schooler’s basketball passion 
Austin Ciciarelli of Harrison found his happy place — on the basketball court. Ciciarelli, 13, was diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome, a form of autism, as a toddler. He tried out for the Highlands Middle School Rams basketball team last year while in seventh grade and made the cut. Daily practices...
Freeport, Leechburg and Fox Chapel high schools notch wins with anti-drug videos
Three Alle-Kiski area high schools continued their winning streaks for their work promoting awareness about opioid abuse. Freeport, Fox Chapel and Leechburg all placed again during the annual 2018-2019 FBI Pittsburgh Division’s HOPE (Heroin Outreach Prevention and Education) PSA contest. The contest, sponsored by the Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation, aims to...
Highlands High School brings back alumni for cabaret show benefiting spring musical
Highlands High School’s musical program puts the “fun” in fundraising. Each year, dozens of Highlands High School alumni team up with current Highlands musical students to perform a cabaret show that provides critical funds for the spring musical. “The average high school musical costs anywhere from $20,000-$30,000 — those are...


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