Joyce Hanz stories, Page 5
Nox’s Tavern and Grille celebrates friendship, food at flagship eatery in Blawnox
They’re foodie best friends with a hankering for great food and drinks served with a hearty helping of hospitality. Brittany Schaffer of Shaler and Jennifer Carrozza of O’Hara co-own Nox’s Tavern and Grille in Blawnox. “This is what we know,” Carrozza said of the tavern named with a nod to...
Former Stanton Heights church, mansion on the market for $1.9 million
A converted church featuring custom, giant murals inside and out is for sale in Stanton Heights. Nationally known comedian Steve Hofstetter recently relocated from Pittsburgh to South Carolina and is selling the property that once housed his nonprofit Steel City Arts Foundation. The church was originally Stanton Heights United Methodist...
Sports-themed restaurant/bar set to open at Waterworks near Aspinwall
A new sports-themed sports bar and eatery appears to be making progress towards opening in the former Walnut Grill at Waterworks in Pittsburgh near Aspinwall. A sign reading “Rival: Eat, Drink, Sports” is displayed along Freeport Road near Aspinwall and crews were busy working outside late last month on the...
Co-ed garden club a social, horticultural haven in Sewickley
There’s an abundance of flower power in Sewickley. Members of the Village Garden Club of Sewickley have promoted horticulture camaraderie, service and dedication to the Sewickley community since 1927. But don’t look for stodgy, elderly ladies clutching their pearls and sipping tea at the monthly meetings held September through June....
Restaurant Sushi i, with all-you-can-eat sushi, debuts in Downtown Pittsburgh
A new Japanese eatery is on a roll. Sushi i (pronounced sushi eye) opened Monday, serving an all-you-can-eat fresh sushi concept in the heart of Downtown Pittsburgh’s growing restaurant scene. Nick Weryha of the South Side noticed the restaurant’s prominent orange fish-themed sushi sign and decided to check out Sushi...
Live like Batman and Robin at this ‘castle estate’ on market for nearly $4M in PineVideo
Batman and Robin would likely approve. An opulent castle-like residence at 724 Bristlecone Drive — with 10 bedrooms, 13 bathrooms and a nod to Hollywood with a replica of Batman’s office and his Batcave — is on the market for nearly $4 million in Pine. The estate includes a playful...
Aspinwall police investigating vandalism of Little Free Library
Janet and Wes Rohrer of Aspinwall are the proud stewards of two Little Free Libraries on their property along Third Street. They installed the libraries in 2011 — one specifically for children positioned at a lower height and one for adults — but an act of vandalism over the weekend...
‘Seldom Seen’ guided tour returns to Hartwood Acres Mansion
A once-popular behind-the-scenes tour that ended during the covid shutdown is back at Hartwood Acres Mansion. The Seldom Seen Tour, highlighting areas not shown to visitors during a regular mansion tour, returns Thursday. The unique one-hour tour was occasionally offered during the early 2000s through 2016. Feedback from other tour-goers...
‘Seldom Seen’ guided tour returns to Hartwood Acres Mansion
A once-popular behind-the-scenes tour that ended during the covid shutdown is back at Hartwood Acres Mansion. The Seldom Seen Tour, highlighting areas not shown to visitors during a regular mansion tour, returns April 17. The unique, one-hour tour was occasionally offered during the early 2000s through 2016. Feedback from other...
New teen director emphasizes inclusion at Sewickley Public Library
There’s a new face on the teen scene at the Sewickley Public Library. Caiden “Caid” Feldmiller started his new job as head of teen services on March 3. “It’s going great,” Feldmiller said. “I’m really focused on serving teens who maybe don’t have another outlet outside of school or don’t...
‘Ms. Z’, 88, valued volunteer at the oldest African American church in Sewickley
Helene Zacharias’s sweatshirt sums up her life credo: “With God all things are possible” is the logo on a favorite sweatshirt worn by 88-year-old Zacharias as she volunteered April 1 at her beloved church in Sewickley. She’s at St. Matthews A.M.E. Zion Church most days and walks there from her...
Coffee shop serves up community camaraderie in Blawnox
The Black Canary Coffee & Ice Cream coffeehouse takes its name from a DC Comics character of the same name and it continues to promote community camaraderie in Blawnox. Look for the heroine’s image on Black Canary T-shirts sold inside the independent java joint at 276 Freeport Road. Owner Rodney...
Mediterranean fare, popular outdoor mural fixtures of new Aspinwall eatery
A long-standing mural adorning the outside of a restaurant building is set to remain in Aspinwall. The former Luke & Mike’s Frontporch Grille is home to a colorful mural titled “Sunset Over Aspinwall,” designed and painted by artist MK Noonan, who worked on it for almost four months in 2014...
Indiana Township-based wedding officiant logs more than 500 nuptials
Michelle Trumble of Indiana Township is a marrying machine. “I’m a hopeless romantic,” Trumble said of her wedding officiant occupation of 16 years. When Trumble faced difficulties booking a suitable wedding officiant for her second wedding, she recognized the need for a professional and versatile wedding officiant in the Pittsburgh...
Leet Township volunteer dedicated to feeding, helping the community of Fair Oaks
Steph Turner grew up across the street from the Fair Oaks Volunteer Fire Department in Leet Township. A friend recruited her to volunteer during the fire station’s open house in 2002, and Turner has been helping ever since. “That’s when my love for the fire department really started,” said Turner,...
Jazzercise instructors blend fitness and fun in Sewickley
This isn’t your grandmother’s Jazzercise. That’s the message from Jazzercise instructor/owner Tamara Kemmler. “Jazzercise has been around for 55 years,” Kemmler said. “It’s the original dance fitness workout, and Jazzercise has evolved over the years.” The biggest Jazzercise myth Kemmler aims to bust is that classes consist of ladies prancing...
Old-world charm, historic gardens highlight estate for sale in Sewickley Heights
A 15-acre estate with nationally recognized historical gardens is on the market in Sewickley Heights. Poplar Hill is listed by Howard Hanna Realtor Caroll Ferguson for $3.9 million. The property takes in a hillside overlooking the historic Allegheny Country Club. In 2010, the Smithsonian Institution, in collaboration with the Village...
Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church Preschool nurtures learning through fun
Never underestimate the power of play. Emphasizing play through learning to encourage exploration and discovery and to promote confidence and understanding are cornerstones of Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church Preschool’s educational philosophy. “Allowing children this space is what FCPC Preschool does best,” said school director Karin Miller. The school is a...
Aspinwall man dedicated volunteer firefighter for SAVES
Jake Poznik of Aspinwall was born in Poland, adopted by an Aspinwall family and brought to America as a baby. He doesn’t remember coming to America but recalled a happy and fun childhood filled with bike rides all around the borough. Since then, Poznik, 30, has explored every inch of...
Learning Tree Preschool marks 45 years of tradition and fun in Sewickley
The Learning Tree Preschool has deep roots in educating tiny tots in Sewickley. Located in the Sewickley United Methodist Church, the school was formed in 1980 in response to a community need for an educational program for kids ages 3-4. The traditional co-ed preschool is enrolling for the 2025-26 academic...
Historic preservationist embraces volunteering roles in Sewickley
Teresa Duff of Sewickley is a preservationist force committed to her adopted community of Sewickley. Duff is a professional architectural conservator, owner and director of Lineage Historic Preservation Services. “Generally speaking, on a project I work in tandem with the project architect or engineer and work in the lane of...
Sewickley Academy student ditches technology for a screen-free semester
Arjun Kathju of Sewickley Heights has done what most teens would likely never consider. The 16-year-old Sewickley Academy sophomore went cold turkey on screen use, primarily with his cellphone and secondary with other digital/screen devices for three straight months while attending a high school academic program in Switzerland last fall....
Pro referee promotes youth football, cheerleading in the Fox Chapel area
Mary Jane “MJ” Evagash grew up in Troy Hill, not far from the roar of the Steelers games at the stadium. That early memory exposed her to sports as a youngster, and her love of football remains. She wouldn’t have it any other way. “I’m a proud fifth-generation North Sider,”...
Upscale, nature-inspired housing plan progresses in Fox Chapel
A niche housing plan is the result of two former Fox Chapel siblings determined to honor their late parents’ legacy and preserve the land of their beloved family homestead in Fox Chapel. Susan Bailey and her brother Dan Sciullo co-own Willow Farms, a custom home development in a country-like setting...
Nonprofit aims to provide farming opportunities for disabled individuals in Leet Township
Allison and Charles Hill are farmers-in-training. The Hills recently purchased 90 acres adjacent to their Leet Township home and launched Harvesting Hope Acres, a nonprofit farm that will be dedicated to helping disabled teens and adults. They announced the news on social media on Feb. 28 in hopes of cultivating...
