JoAnne Klimovich Harrop stories
Former TribLive journalist publishes 2nd fiction thriller
When crime reporter Rita Locke discovers a prominent funeral director who was murdered is accused of burying empty coffins, she decides to dig a little deeper. Even if that includes putting her life in danger. That’s always been her modus operandi — her way of approaching a newspaper story —...
‘The curse’ of the Terrible Towel is real
For Steelers Nation, there is magic to the Terrible Towel. So when other teams disrespect or mistreat the beloved towel, sometimes bad things happen. Those consequences are often referred to as “the curse of the Terrible Towel.” “You can’t disgrace the Terrible Towel,” said U.S. Army Vietnam Veteran and four-time...
Iconic Terrible Towel has been waving for 50 yearsVideo
The Terrible Towel has lasted so long — half a century — that you might think it was made of steel. There are few places, if any, where a simple piece of cloth has carried such weight. The gold towel first unfurled at Three Rivers Stadium on Dec. 27, 1975,...
Duck-themed Elf on the Shelf brings holiday cheer to South Park Elementary Center
South Park Elementary Center has two real-life Elves on the Shelf — and unlike the popular holiday toy, these elves don’t stay put. On Friday, Principal Kelli Dellarose and assistant principal Katelyn Vogel dressed in the familiar red-and-white outfits, taking on the role of the mischievous elves who traditionally watch...
Demeatria Boccella recognized by Mayor Ed Gainey for dedication to Black arts
Demeatria Boccella sees the beauty in everyone and everything. The Shadyside resident has built groundbreaking platforms that celebrate the cultural contributions of the African Diaspora and continues to broaden global understanding of Black arts, fashion and beauty. She founded FashionAFRICANA, a program that attracts global talent, designers and leaders to...
Yinzer Dogs opens brick-and-mortar location in Cranberry
The Yinzer Dog has a house n’at. The Original Yinzer Dogs food truck — inspired by the Original Hot Dog Shop, a popular Oakland spot from 1960 to 2020 — opened a brick-and-mortar location this past weekend in Cranberry. The location “is great because it is close to the UPMC...
Upper St. Clair High School senior class has 16 sets of twins
One might do a double-take looking at the list of seniors at Upper St. Clair High School. There are 16 sets of twins in the 2026 graduating class — roughly one in every 10 members of the 299 students is a twin. Thursday is doubly special as it is National...
For more than 4 decades, Thomas Jewelers has given shine to Sewickley
Justin Thomas spent time at his father’s jewelry store as a 12-year-old, where he learned how to change watch batteries, taking in all the information about the inner workings of these timepieces. His expertise has expanded past making a watch tick again as he helps fashion precious metals into beautiful...
Aleppo man shares memories of the race track he helped build
At 87, Earl Seiler returned to the track he helped build and took one last lap — this time on foot, hand-in-hand with his daughter. The Aleppo resident and his daughter, Nancy Patterson of Edgeworth, walked from the starting line to the finish at Pittsburgh International Race Complex at the...
‘Sports360,’ 1st major exhibition at the Kamin Science Center, set to open
An exhibition that immerses visitors in the science of athletic performance is about to debut. Details of the “Sports360” exhibit were announced Thursday at a pep rally at the Daniel G. and Carole L. Kamin Science Center on Pittsburgh’s North Shore. The exhibit officially opens Saturday with a family-friendly tailgate....
Paula Sculley’s legacy lives on through generous gift to Fern Hollow Nature Center
The late Paula Sculley had a vision for an outdoor space in Sewickley Heights. She convinced G. Whitney Snyder Sr. to donate property to the Sewickley Heights borough in 1997, a gift of land that created the opportunity for outdoor and educational experiences at the Fern Hollow Nature Center. Sculley...
Sewickley designer Elise Keely creates welcoming outdoor spaces
As a landscape designer, Elise Everett Keely envisions more than yards and gardens. She sees a connection between the architectural style of a home or business and the surrounding outdoor spaces. Sketch pad in hand, she walks into the space and takes in every detail. She begins to draw what...
North Huntingdon grandma’s love fills wedding cookie table
There is one ingredient in Adrienne “Baba” Frishof’s homemade cookies that can’t be measured — love. Frishof, 78, crafted 90 dozen cookies — 17 of the 26 varieties — for her granddaughter’s Oct. 11 wedding cookie table. “We had little takeout containers for guests to take cookies with them,” said...
Pitt’s Nationality Rooms to welcome thousands for holiday open house
Kati R. Csoman came from an immigrant Hungarian family. Her father was a steelworker in Beaver County, and there wasn’t a lot of money for college. When her mentor, University of Pittsburgh professor Robert P. Donnorummo, suggested she apply for a scholarship to study abroad in her native Hungary, she...
Long-time Pine resident keeps up exercise regimen, positive attitude at 98 years young
Esther VanCura is living proof the benefit of exercising has no age limit. The 98-year-old and her wellness coach, Nick Majoris, devote part of a morning each week to strengthening the senior’s core, maintaining muscle and keeping her mind sharp. “It’s never too late,” said Majoris, who designed a program...
Bar Noel Sewickley serves holiday cheer
Nestled inside Mi Cita, an upscale bar and lounge, is a chic holiday pop-up establishment serving high-end wines and champagne, craft cocktails, beer and mocktails as well as small plates. This is the second year for the Bar Noel Sewickley concept. In 2023, it was located inside the Sewickley Tavern....
Love letters written 100 years ago inspired a book by Sewickley native
While searching through boxes after her mother’s death, Nancy Hayes Kilgore came across handwritten letters from her grandmother to her grandfather. As she read the words, she decided to type them into her computer. The more she documented the correspondence, an idea came to her about how the letters could...
Child Health Association of Sewickley celebrated its biennial Backwoods Ball and Play
Dressed in gowns and western-style attire, complete with boots and cowboy hats, guests did a little line dancing at the biennial Backwoods Ball on Nov. 22. Held at the Edgeworth Club, proceeds from the ball and play go to the Child Health Association of Sewickley. Child Health’s mission is to...
No parade for this year’s Highmark First Night Pittsburgh event
The annual First Night parade will have a different look this New Year’s Eve. Instead of a single parade route on Dec. 31, there will be roaming performers throughout the Cultural District, according to an announcement by the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust on Wednesday. The change is due to construction in...
Village Garden Club of Sewickley will host a Greens and Goodies sale
Members of the Village Garden Club of Sewickley gathered at a home in Edgeworth on Nov. 18 to make holiday ornaments for the upcoming Greens and Goodies sale. The event is from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 6 at The Henning House at 327 Broad St. in Sewickley. The...
Robinson’s Home & Garden in Sewickley will be ready for the holiday rush
Things are about to get a lot greener at Robinson’s Home & Garden in Sewickley. The live Christmas trees and wreaths were expected to arrive at the shop on Nov. 23, just in time for the holiday rush, which officially begins the day after Thanksgiving. “Our busiest times are spring...
Sewickley artist opens IM Studio in Leetsdale
At her new Leetsdale studio, IM Studio, Sewickley artist Isabella “Bella” Maroon has turned her lifelong passion for clay into a space for creativity and connection. Through hands-on classes and workshops, she invites others to experience what clay has always given her — a way to reflect, to grow, and...
Roberto Clemente Jr. shares stories of profound loss on Children’s Grief Awareness Day
Robert Clemente Jr. remembers entering Three Rivers Stadium when he was 7, and spotting posters with a picture of his father. He walked directly toward one of the images behind the backstop of the Pittsburgh Pirates’ former home field on Pittsburgh’s North Shore. “I missed him so much that when...
‘Say Yes to the Dress’ and Kleinfeld Bridal designer coming to Mt. Lebanon boutique
Wedding dress designer Hayley Paige says that the moment a bride steps into her gown is sacred. “In a world that’s constantly evolving, that moment remains sacred,” said Paige, who will be at Bridal Beginning in Mt. Lebanon on Thursday. “It transcends trend or extravagance; it’s pure expression. For so...
Three Dog Bakery in Sewickley offers treats and more for furry friends
The door opens and in walks Bentley. He goes directly behind the counter … and waits. “Bentley knows where the treats are,” said Lee Ann Carey, owner of Three Dog Bakery in Sewickley. “Dogs will be on the sidewalk a few stores away and they just know where this shop...
