Fox Chapel Herald category, Page 142
Belle Voci women’s choir using off-time during pandemic to fuel camaraderie
The Fox Chapel-based women’s choir, Belle Voci, is using the covid-19 pandemic to fuel camaraderie and strengthen spirits. In many ways, the group is connecting more deeply than when their time was focused strictly on rehearsing, Pamela Bruchwalski, marketing director, said. “We may not be able to stand shoulder-to-shoulder, but...
PennDOT postpones Route 28 project until next week due to weather
PennDOT officials said cold weather will delay a Route 28 project designed to add lanes and improve safety near the Highland Park Bridge. Preparatory work such as painting lines and sign installation along the main thoroughfare was expected to begin Wednesday. Officials said those efforts, and subsequent single-lane restrictions, have...
From the piano to the paint, Ellie Schwartzman plays key role for Fox Chapel
Ellie Schwartzman is proficient at playing the piano, having studied and practiced the craft for more than a decade. She takes lessons every week to keep her skills sharp. “My whole family is very musically inclined,” said Schwartzman, a senior at Fox Chapel. “Music was a nice thing to have...
Atria’s, Juniper Grill remain closed despite lift on state restrictions
Two local restaurant chains have chosen to remain temporarily closed despite the state lifting its most recent covid-19 restrictions. Management at Atria’s and Juniper Grill said they cannot be profitable at half-capacity, as mandated by Gov. Tom Wolf’s virus-related guidelines. “We cannot and will not make it as a business...
Winter lantern festival to launch Fox Chapel’s new parks conservancy
A winter lantern festival in Fox Chapel first delayed by rain is rescheduled for sundown Friday. The event will launch the borough’s new parks conservancy by installing a sea of flickering lanterns across the field at McCahill Park along Squaw Run Road. From 5:30 to 9:30 p.m., people can enjoy...
Aspinwall holds tax rate steady despite increase in spending plan
Aspinwall officials are crediting a strong housing market for helping to maintain the property tax rate in 2021, despite increased spending and pandemic impacts. Aspinwall Council approved the borough’s $2.8 million budget, which holds the real estate tax rate at 6.86 mills. The owner of a home assessed at $100,000...
Fox Chapel Presbyterian asks people to Fill-a-Truck for local food pantries
An annual food collection at Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church will help local food banks bridge the gap between the holidays and spring time drives, pantry leaders said. The Fill-a-Truck event in early February, split between the Bread of Life in Etna, St. Vincent de Paul in Sharpsburg and Council of...
News briefs: Tree recycling, book clubs, Catholic school open house and more
Residents can recycle their Christmas trees at Hartwood Acres through Jan. 14. Dropoff is is the mansion parking lot. The Allegheny County Parks Department started its program Dec. 26 and offers collection from 8 a.m. until dusk. All lights, decorations, tinsel and stands must be removed. Trees will be mulched...
The Herald area real estate transactions for the week of Jan. 3
Etna David Hanahan sold property at 20 Vilsack St. to Erik Peasland and Courtney Leigh Drahovsky for $235,000. Fox Chapel Estate of George Tippins sold property at Hickory Hill Road to William Tippins for $235,000. Harmar Blue Roof Holdings LLC sold property at 11 Rich Hill Road to Bart Hill...
Independent chefs say pandemic has aided businessVideo
What’s for dinner? During covid times, that question became challenging for many as restrictions, lockdowns and mandated restaurant closures occurred more than once. Meet three Pittsburgh-area chefs — not affiliated with restaurants — providing home-cooked meals delivered to your door. JSMenusPGH Jake Stewart works out of a kitchen in Springdale...
Volunteers gathering at Bradford Woods Reserve for Audubon’s annual bird count
For the seventh consecutive year, the Bradford Woods Conservancy is seeking nature lovers interested in participating in the Audubon Society’s annual Christmas Bird Count on Jan. 2. A small team of conservancy members and volunteers is scheduled to be in the Bradford Woods Reserve at 10 a.m. “looking, listening and...
Newly formed Fox Chapel Parks Conservancy sponsors winter lantern festival
A visit to McCahill Park in Fox Chapel on Jan. 1 will be nothing short of magical as the site transforms into a glistening field of lights at sundown. The effort is to promote the newly created Fox Chapel Parks Conservancy, founded to emphasize the community’s passion for its expansive...
Pandemic hits home for Allegheny Valley Hospital physician and his wifeVideo
Editor’s note: This is the third in a series highlighting five people whose lives were reshaped by the coronavirus pandemic. The coronavirus had a clear and, some would argue, promising path into Dr. David and Louisa Shin’s O’Hara home. A primary care physician, Dr. Shin, 52, works for Allegheny Health...
In brief: Christmas tree recycling, meditation and more around Fox Chapel
Indiana Township public works crew will collect Christmas trees that are set out to the curb by 7 a.m. Jan. 4. Residents are asked to make sure all lights and decorations are removed. Trees collected will be mulched and used in township parks. - Residents can recycle their Christmas trees...
The Herald area real estate transactions for the week of Dec. 27
Aspinwall Michael Hromanik sold property at 211 Eastern Ave. to Samuel and Veronica Miclot for $677,500. Etna James Smith trustee sold property at 322 Butler St. to Jason Hopler for $135,000. 3M Holdings LLC sold property at 95 Wilson St. to Demetrius Titus for $207,000. Fox Chapel Mary Ann Pampel...
Top stories from across the Lower Valley for the week of Dec. 20Video
Here are some of the top stories of the week of Dec. 20: - Blawnox property taxes remain steady. Blawnox residents will pay the same real estate taxes to the borough in 2021 after council approved the borough’s budget. With the property tax rate at 9.85 mills, the owner of...
Fox Chapel area student news: Covid-19 cases reported; meeting schedule and more
Fox Chapel Area School District reported 36 confirmed and probable covid-19 cases in the schools as of Dec. 16. The district reports its cases in a rolling 14-day period and counts a case only if the person was physically in the building while infectious. In December, the high school saw...
New Kensington native Skyy Moore growing into receiver role at Western Michigan
Back in 1982, the Cal football team pulled off a historic 25-20 comeback against Stanford when the Golden Bears completed a series of laterals on an end-of-the-game kickoff. At the end of the play, Kevin Moen ended up having to sprint through a grouping of Stanford band members and into...
Fox Chapel Area Adult Education builds on success of first online-only classes
The first-ever entirely remote semester of Fox Chapel Area Adult Education (FCAAE) proved to be more rewarding than organizers expected – so much so that they’re building on its success for a second round of virtual classes that begin in January. “I am so honored to work with a community...
O’Hara appoints 3rd Ward rep to serve vacancy
A consultant who worked previously as the assistant athletic director for Fox Chapel Area High School was appointed to fill a vacancy on O’Hara council. Republican Greg Caprara will represent the township’s 3rd Ward through 2021. He is serving the remainder of a term vacated last month by Scott Frankowski....
After 5-month search, Shady Side Academy has new nickname
Shady Side Academy officially has a new mascot and nickname — the Bulldogs. The SSA Board of Trustees began a five-month search process in July after they decided to discontinue the use of the Indian as the school’s mascot and team name. During their search for a new mascot, a...
Aspinwall eyes safety improvements for Freeport Road
Aspinwall council hopes to implement safety initiatives along Freeport Road in 2021 that could include upgraded bus shelters, bike sharrows and increased parking. The plan would follow some of the many recommendations derived from a 2019 TranSystems study, paid for by a near $13,000 grant from Allegheny County. The list...
News briefs: Collections of canned goods, holiday gifts for hospital patients and more
St. Margaret Foundation is raising money to deliver gift bags to each patient at UPMC St. Margaret on Christmas. It is largely because rising covid-19 cases have necessitated safety precautions that allow only one visitor. Gift bags will consist of a green organza bag with a Mercury glass votive candle...
The Herald area real estate transactions for the week of Dec. 20
Aspinwall David Pechersky sold property at 215 Seventh St. to Spencer Michael and Rachel Elizabeth Whitman for $450,000. Blawnox Bing Han sold property at 940 Center Ave. to Lin Brothers Properties LLC for $936,000. Robert Simon sold property at 282 Freeport Road to Pamma LLC for $133,500. Etna Estate of...
High school basketball teams appreciate, take lessons from pre-shutdown games
Last Friday, 71 WPIAL and City League boys and girls basketball teams kicked off their 2020-21 seasons in the shadow of a looming shutdown that will extend through the first couple of days of the New Year. In the climate of covid uncertainties, the games were a chance for those...
