Joyce Hanz stories, Page 65
In a time of covid-19, 2 Leechburg area churches among those taking services outdoors
Two Leechburg area churches are offering outdoor worship opportunities in response to covid-19 restrictions. The Revs. Gary and Lisa Lyon, co-pastors at Cross Roads Community Presbyterian Church in Leechburg, added a monthly outdoor service in June. The 40-minute service is open to anyone. Those attending are asked to bring a...
Pandemic provides boost for river recreation businesses in Western Pa.Video
The covid-19 pandemic appears to have spurred more people to take to Western Pennsylvania’s waterways this summer. Neill Andritz, co-owner of River’s Edge Canoe & Kayak in Gilpin, said kayaking, tubing and canoe rentals have increased 25% this season as people have sought covid-friendly outdoor pursuits. “We’re realizing the outdoors...
West Leechburg man ‘space-ing out’ with online astronomy show
West Leechburg’s James Sanders has turned a childhood interest in science into a celestial pursuit and profession. Sanders, who has an astrophysics degree from Clarion University, is hosting a free Facebook livestream on astronomy Saturday. “I found planetariums in college and realized they would be an excellent marriage of content...
Donkey herd brings joy to Gilpin couple, communityVideo
Lisa and Joe Wailand love spoiling what she calls their donkey babies. Dixie, Skittles, Stormy, M&M and Sunny make up the Wailands’ spunky, all-female pet herd, which garners a lot of attention from people passing by the Lovers Leap Farm on Gilpin’s Lovers Leap Road. “I have a couple that...
Gordmans store at Allegheny Township’s Hyde Park Plaza to close
Hyde Park Plaza in Allegheny Township is losing another tenant. Gordmans, previously Peebles, advertised a liquidation sale with discounts of 50% to 70% and was selling off store fixtures such as shopping carts, shelving, copiers and employee lockers. Its parent company, Stage Stores, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in May....
Leechburg High’s Class of 1961 dedicates bench as memorial to classmates who have died
A new bench in Leechburg offers more than just relaxing views of the Kiski River. On Friday, the Leechburg Area High School Class of 1961 dedicated a new steel black bench, complete with a custom plaque, at Riverfront Park in Leechburg. The event was organized by LAHS ‘61 alumnus Jerry...
K-9 ‘officer’ Rudy on patrol in GilpinVideo
A once-hesitant pup is patrolling with confidence in Gilpin. Rudy, a 4-year-old Belgian Malinois, certified by the North American Police Work Dog Association, joined the Gilpin police department on Dec. 17, 2019. Gilpin Supervisor Chairman Charlie Stull said Rudy has honed his “officer” skills during the past eight months. “When...
Tombstone preservation workshop taking place at Kittanning Township church cemetery
A historic church and its cemetery in Kittanning is the sole stop in Pennsylvania on a 48-state tombstone restoration and preservation tour. Christ Rupp Lutheran Church in Kittanning Township was recently selected to host a free public workshop on how to preserve old tombstones. It’s being held Friday, Aug. 28...
Twisted Thistle, Lingrow Farm to host farm-to-table dinner in Gilpin
Two Leechburg-area businesses are partnering to present a rural farm fresh dining experience. The Twisted Thistle in Leechburg and Lingrow Farm in Gilpin will host Farm 2 Table, an al fresco supper event on the grounds of Lingrow Farm on Saturday. “The primary reason that Twisted Thistle ever opened was...
Leechburg cancels ‘Halloweenburg’ event because of pandemic
A popular annual Halloween event has canceled in Leechburg because of the coronavirus pandemic. Halloweenburg, sponsored by the Leechburg Area Community Association and the Leechburg Fire Department, is the latest covid-19 cancellation for the borough. Pink Day, the popular annual breast cancer fundraising event, was scrapped in June. “The borough...
Gilpin woman lives in subterranean house that she designed, built
Can you dig it? Judy Quick can. The 77-year-old Gilpin woman lives in a custom-built, subterranean home. “I mow my roof,” Quick said while giving a tour of her unorthodox three-bedroom, two-bathroom home that’s on more than 11 acres in rural Armstrong County. She said advantages of underground living include...
Leechburg restaurants step up by offering free meals to students
Some Leechburg area restaurants are getting creative during the coronavirus crisis. Three restaurants—CoCo Coffeehouse, Fox’s Pizza Den and Cicero’s Bar and Grill—are offering free takeout meals beginning Monday and Barefoot Bar and Grill in Gilpin Tuesday for Leechburg area students during the state mandated school closures ordered by Gov. Wolf....
Freeport Area High School brings tap-dancing musical ’42nd Street’ to the stageVideo
It’s a musical with a lot of kick. Freeport Area High School presents its 2020 spring musical “42nd Street” from March 12-15. And who better to direct the classic musical chronicling the story of a small town Pennsylvania girl with Big Apple dreams than Freeport alumnus, Broadway performer, New York...
Leechburg High School brings ‘Godspell’ to the stageVideo
Leechburg Area High School drama students will bring to life parables from the Gospel, with an updated twist, as they present “Godspell” on March 13-15. Think punk meets rock in this remastered 2012 version of “Godspell,” created by Grammy and Academy Award winner Stephen Schwartz. “Godspell” features a myriad of...
‘A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum’ opens March 12 at Burrell High SchoolVideo
It’s toga time as Burrell High School presents its spring musical, “A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum.” Set in ancient Roman times, the show is comedic, fast paced, full of twists and turns as it follows the antics of Pseudolus, a slave attempting to win his...
Apollo-Ridge to bring ‘High School Musical’ to lifeVideo
A wildly popular Disney Channel movie has gone from screen to stage. Apollo-Ridge High School presents “High School Musical” March 5-7, based on the Disney Channel original movie “High School Musical.” Bethany Greenlee, in her 11th season as musical director, began her professional career working at Radio Disney and said...
Vandergrift dance studio joins aerial yoga trendVideo
Take your workout to new heights with aerial yoga. Sandra Lynn’s School of Dance in Vandergrift recently added two weekly classes of this hybrid way of practicing yoga. Kim Stewart, owner and certified yoga instructor at Sandra Lynn’s, says the new classes are a hit and aerial yoga has a...
Mobile cupcake business serves up happiness by the dozenVideo
Confectionery chef Amanda Dingey of Ford City is on a roll. Dingey owns and operates StudeCakers, a mobile and online custom cupcake business she opened in 2012 after leaving a corporate customer service job. “Last year, I sold over 35,000 cupcakes,” says Dingey, 45. “My cupcake flavors scream ‘fun.’ ”...
Married in secret during WWII, this New Ken couple will celebrate 75th wedding anniversary on Valentine’s DayVideo
This Valentine’s Day, take a bit of advice from a New Kensington couple who will celebrate their 75th year together as husband and wife. Rich and Shirley Rosenberger met in high school and married in secret at their church while Rich was on leave during WWII. Their love story endures....
Cellar Works Brewing plans 2nd location at Winfield’s Cooper Station RestaurantVideo
A new business is brewing in Winfield Township. A large digital sign outside of Cooper Station Restaurant, which closed abruptly and without notice to the public in 2019, hints “Something is brewing” to passing motorists along Route 356. Cellar Works Brewing Co. owners confirmed plans are underway to open a...
Chocolate-covered dreams at Speckled HenVideo
Chocolate lovers have a sweet destination in rural Clinton Township. Speckled Hen Chocolate Co. opened in 2013, specializing in unique gourmet hand-dipped chocolates, gift baskets, event favors, chocolate-themed classes and homemade fudge. Sarver native and owner Valerie Cannon, 45, often provided homemade chocolate-covered pretzels for her co-workers. She made the...
Shadyside ‘Babcock Mansion’ listed at $2.45 million housed U.S. presidents, lavish parties
In the market for a fancy mansion known for hosting several U.S. presidents and celebrities? The Beatty mansion at 5135 Ellsworth Ave., near Colonial Place, is listed by Howard Hanna Homes of Distinction with an asking price of $2.45 million. The original asking price was $2.99 million when it went...
New name can’t change the splendid view from Veltre’s in PlumVideo
It’s a slightly different spelling with the same spectacular view. An iconic venue in Plum affording stunning views of the Allegheny River and surrounding countryside has reopened. Veltre’s Wedding and Event Centre, formerly Veltri’s Restaurant, opened in 2016 after being shuttered for 12 years. Only a vowel separates the surnames...
Who wants to buy a house-bus in Pittsburgh?
One can’t help but notice this house rolling down the road that’s for sale. Pennsylvania native Andrew Weidman, 27, is visiting Pittsburgh for the winter, hoping to sell “Lucy Half-Bus.” It’s a 2003 Ford E350 converted former school bus, powered by Ford’s legendary 7.3 diesel, with 137,000 miles on the...
Brothers camp for charity inside Sprankle’s Neighborhood Markets
Two brothers and business partners are camping for charity at Sprankle’s Neighborhood Markets. Doug and Ryan Sprankle own the markets in Leechburg and Kittanning. They’re known for their store promotional antics on social media. Both set up tents inside their respective stores for their latest venture. Ryan owns the Kittanning...
