JoAnne Klimovich Harrop stories, Page 12
Collier Eat’n Park reopens in a larger space
Bill Mitchell recalled his aunt and uncle writing down when the Eat’n Park across the street from their home in Collier was scheduled to open. The date was June 21, 1956, a Thursday. “Saturday of that week they took me to eat there,” said Mitchell, as he sat in the...
From amputation to Ironman, Bethel Park veteran shares story of resilience
Eric McElvenny of Bethel Park was 132 miles into the 140.6 miles of the Ironman World Championships in beautiful Kona, Hawaii. Every bone, muscle, piece of skin on his body hurt. He couldn’t take one more step. “I am in physical pain,” McElvenny said as he described that moment to...
Bethel Park U.S. Marine Corps Captain shares his story at Veterans Breakfast Club
Eric McElvenny was 132 miles into the 140.6 miles of the Ironman World Championships in beautiful Kona, Hawaii. Every bone, muscle and piece of skin on his body hurt. He couldn’t take one more step. “I am in physical pain,” McElvenny said as he described that moment to the room...
Service dogs provide comfort, strength to veterans
A service dog is a veteran’s best friend. These highly trained animals help those who served their country re-enter civilian life by being trusted companions. They can sense something before it happens. They can detect low blood sugar, an oncoming seizure and prevent a panic attack. “I still walk this...
Headliner announced for Pittsburgh’s Highmark Light Up Night
Alternative rock band The Fray, known for “How to Save a Life” and other hits, will be the headliner for the 63rd annual Highmark Light Up Night on Nov. 23. The group performs at 8:30 p.m. on the Xfinity Riverfront Stage on Fort Duquesne Boulevard and Sixth Street. Hosted by...
Sewickley Hunt Club opens 102nd formal season
The Sewickley Hunt Club opened its 102nd formal season on Oct. 26 on the grounds of the historic Wilpen Hall estate in Sewickley Heights. The sport is an act of hunting a fox across the countryside with a pack of hounds by a group of people on foot and horseback....
Fern Hollow Nature Center to be renovated, expanded
When G. Whitney Snyder Sr. donated property to Sewickley Heights borough in 1997, the gift of land created the opportunity for outdoor and educational experiences at the Fern Hollow Nature Center. “Fern Hollow has committed to preserve the landscape and remains an invaluable educational and environmental resource in the community,”...
Why are Pittsburgh buildings lit in teal?
Forget red — Pittsburgh is painting the town teal. Several local buildings were illuminated in the color teal Friday and joined more than 1,300 sites in all 50 states and 16 additional countries “going teal” for the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America’s Light the World in Teal Program. It was the...
Mission of Mercy Pittsburgh offers dental, vision and hearing care at free clinic
Michael Kirk of McKeesport got his teeth cleaned; James Pearson of Mount Washington had an eye exam; and Rev. Marshall Richbourg of Pittsburgh’s Hill District received two new hearing aids — all at no cost. They were three of the hundreds of patients to receive free dental, vision and hearing...
‘Pittsburgh Steelers: An Illustrated Timeline’ documents the team’s storied history
Jim Wexell spent weeks during the summer of 2023 in the library, but not just any library. It was the Pro Football Hall of Fame library in Canton, Ohio. There, he perused everything written about the Pittsburgh Steelers’ storied franchise as he researched book ideas. Wexell filled 10 legal pads...
From faith to fashion: Squirrel Hill salon brings wigs to life for diverse community
Chami Saks wears a wig daily — for religious reasons. She is an Orthodox Jewish woman, and in her faith, women’s hair becomes sacred once they marry. While each family has their own customs based on who can see the woman’s hair, generally only the woman’s husband, children and other...
Downtown Pittsburgh’s Carl W. Herrmann Furs to close
The final week of October, despite temperatures in the mid to high 70s, customers were waiting outside of Carl W. Herrmann Furs. They wanted to say goodbye to a long-standing business in Downtown Pittsburgh. “The store wasn’t even open yet but they were here,” said Carl “Guy” W. Herrmann IV,...
Sharpsburg judge’s wedding count tops 100
Usually when people enter District Judge Matt Rudzki’s courtroom, it’s for a ruling from him. But there are some people who come in where the decision already has been made. And it is a lifelong one — until death do they part. Rudzki, whose district encompasses Aspinwall, Blawnox, Fox Chapel,...
Sewickley Academy graduate is an astronaut for NASA
When Edward Michael “Mike” Fincke was 3, someone asked him what he wanted to be when he grew up. “An astronaut,” Fincke replied. Fifty-four years later, that dream continues to be a reality for Fincke, a National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) astronaut and retired U.S. Air Force colonel. The...
Where are some notable Western Pennsylvanians buried?
Walking among graves on a rainy day, an eerie silence hung, broken only by a steady drip of water on tombstones and mausoleums. Cemeteries dating back hundreds of years are evident by weathered stones with some names illegible. The stories of those laid to rest or entombed invoke vivid memories...
O’Hara based Pittsburgh Bereavement Doulas host evening to remember the ‘little ones gone too soon’
Laura Chiesa of Oakmont handed her 2½-year-old daughter, Leona, the phone. They were making a call to heaven. Leona’s sister, Mary Theresa, was stillborn on Feb. 6, 2024, which was her due date. “I had an uneventful pregnancy,” said Chiesa on Oct. 15 during the sixth annual Light & Unite...
Shopping for a cause: Garden Club of Allegheny County’s Pizzazz boosts green projects
The Fox Chapel Golf Club transformed into a designer boutique with more than three dozen vendors Oct. 16-18 for the 28th Pizzazz fundraiser. The space was filled with merchandise such as men’s, women’s and children’s clothing and accessories, jewelry, leather goods, gifts, home décor, linens, personalized stationery and specialty food...
Inner Groove Brewing, Gene the Werewolf team up for new beer
Something has been brewing between a local brewer and a band: Inner Groove Brewing and Gene the Werewolf collaborated on a beer called Raised By Wolves. The limited-edition Raised By Wolves will be available on tap and in commemorative cans at Inner Groove locations in Verona and Allentown beginning Saturday....
Von Maur to open in South Hills Village
There will be another option for shopping this holiday season. Von Maur will open its 38th store in South Hills Village Mall at 10 a.m. Nov. 9. The company, headquartered in Davenport, Iowa, has been making its way east, said Melody Wright, chief operating officer for Von Maur, which has...
Western Pa. women who paved the way in sports to share stories on History Center panel
Women’s sports are experiencing game-changing moments like never before with more television coverage, opportunities for females to coach men and sponsorships for athletes and teams. Many of these present situations have come from the past and those who have paved the way. Four Western Pennsylvanians will be on the panel...
TribLive recognized by Keystone Media with 37 awards, sweepstakes honor
The TribLive staff was recognized with 37 awards as well as the Sweepstakes and Outstanding News Operation first place award at the Keystone Media Awards Luncheon on Thursday. The event, which recognizes the best of Pennsylvania journalism by presenting the Keystone Media Awards and News Organization of the Year awards,...
Trunk-or-treat events add another opportunity for Halloween fun
Several vehicles are lined up, their trunks wide open, decorated and filled with candy and other treats. It’s a different version of trick-or-treat, where children dress in costume and walk door to door and collect candy on Halloween or some night close to Oct. 31, depending on the community where...
Urgent wait for treatments: The race against time in the fight against FSHD, a genetic muscle disorder
Mark J. Christman continues to wait, but time is of the essence. Ongoing research and clinical trials are underway, but the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not yet approved any treatments to stop the progression or increase muscle mass in people with facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD), a genetic disorder...
Bill Shay, who coached for nearly 4 decades at Community College of Allegheny County, dies
Players from all over western Pennsylvania wanted to play for one man. That one man was Bill Shay. The winningest basketball coach in Western Pennsylvania history, Shay died on Friday. He was 88. “A soldier has passed,” said Larry DiCicco, a North Side native who lives in Mt. Lebanon, and...
DiAnoia’s Eatery in Pittsburgh adds breakfast menu
Breakfast is now on the menu at DiAnoia’s Eatery. The Strip District destination will serve breakfast Tuesday through Saturday from 8 to 11 a.m. The restaurant known for Italian fare for lunch and dinner is expanding to the morning with what owners call “breakfast classics with an Italian twist.” The...
