Joyce Hanz stories, Page 67
Join in the fun with Burrell’s ‘The Mystery of Edwin Drood’
Audience participation is not only expected as Burrell High School presents “The Mystery of Edward Drood,” it’s required says Burrell musical director Martin Connolly. “The audience gets to vote and decide who the murderer is at the end of the show,” Connolly says. “And then based on that we will...
Springdale takes a chance on ‘Mamma Mia’Video
The global sensation “Mamma Mia” lands on the Springdale Jr./Sr. High School stage March 29-31. “I like the fact that this musical is contemporary. We can do a lot with that,” says Emily Plunkett of her lead role as Sophie. The global smash hit musical takes place on a tiny...
Highlands High School presents ‘The Hunchback of Notre Dame’Video
Highlands High School presents the only Pittsburgh area high school musical production of “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” March 29-31. Based on the French novel by Victor Hugo and songs from the Disney animated feature, this production is the largest to grace the Highlands stage under the direction of Highlands...
Kiski Area goes classic with ‘The Sound of Music’Video
Everyone’s favorite singing nun returns as Kiski Area High School presents “The Sound of Music” March 27-30. “Coming off the heels of a no-dialogue show like last year’s “Joseph,” this year’s show will provide audiences with a nice contrast as we return to a more traditional and classic musical favorite,”...
Fox Chapel tackles challenging ‘Les Miserables’Video
Fox Chapel Area High School presents “Les Miserables School Edition,” on March 14-17. This adaptation of the classic musical by Alain Boubil and Claude-Michel Schoneberg, based on the French novel by Victor Hugo, is the world’s longest running sung-through musical and the third longest running musical in Broadway history. Winner...
Leechburg Area High School presents ‘Anything Goes’Video
Leechburg Area High School sets sail with “Anything Goes.” Director Alyssa Bruno Walls said she chose “Anything Goes” because the student talent is “so there” this year for the nautically themed classic that includes music and lyrics written by Cole Porter such as “It’s Delovely,” “I Get a Kick Out...
Freeport thinks pink with ‘Legally Blonde’Video
“Omigod! Omigod you guys.” Freeport Area High School thinks pink as it presents “Legally Blonde: The Musical” March 14-17 at the Freeport Middle School. Based on the smash comedy 2001 film starring Reese Witherspoon, it’s the story of a rich sorority girl named Elle Woods and her creative mission to...
Apollo-Ridge presents the upbeat ‘The Music Man’
Apollo-Ridge High School presents “The Music Man” Feb. 28- March 2. Trouble comes to River City when a fast-talking con artist salesman falls for Marian the town librarian in the classic six-time Tony Award-winning musical comedy. Musical director Bethany Greenlee said she chose “The Music Man” to showcase the talents...
Cooper Station Restaurant abruptly closes in Winfield TownshipVideo
The landmark Cooper Station Restaurant has abruptly shut down. The popular restaurant along Route 356 in Winfield Township posted a closing notice Monday on its Facebook page. “Effective immediately, Cooper Station Restaurant will be closed indefinitely. Thank You, Management,” the notice read. The signs posted on the locked double doors...
Customers flocked to opening of Allegheny Township chicken jointVideo
There’s a new chicken joint in Allegheny Township. Big Shot Bob’s House of Wings opened last Monday, Feb. 11 in Kiski Park Plaza. Customers were lined out the door, according to co-owner Kara Jo Brank. Brank and her husband, Frank, left the corporate world for the culinary scene. After downsizing...
Highlands senior champions ‘feeling good in your own skin’Video
“Let me take a selfie.” That familiar phrase is a daily norm for Highlands High School senior Olivia Grace Fertig. Fertig, 18, of Tarentum has almost 12,000 followers and subscribers on her Instagram and YouTube social media accounts. “I post a lot of make-up, fashion and daily life on there,”...
Visit by Brinley the pig is a hit with Leechburg students
A potbellied pig ruled the school this week at David Leech Elementary. Brinley, a 3-month-old kunekune mixed-breed pig from Gilpin, visited students in grades K-5 this week to promote PIG WARS, a new fundraiser sponsored by the PTA. The pig was welcomed by teachers in each classroom, receiving much attention...
Wine lounge, eatery to open in vacant Rankin churchVideo
A family of five from California is on a renovation mission in Rankin. The Stasinowsky family from Sacramento purchased the former Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church in Rankin from the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh in February 2018 for $50,000. They are creating a new, unique destination they...
Cruze Bar to close in Pittsburgh, plans farewell bash
A landmark gay bar in Pittsburgh’s Strip District is closing. Cruze Bar opened seven years ago along Smallman Street, providing a destination dance, bar and lounge experience for members of Pittsburgh’s LGBTQ+ community—offering a classic dance club environment and garnering a faithful customer base. But new development is on the...
Asperger’s can’t stop Highlands middle schooler’s basketball passionVideo
Austin Ciciarelli of Harrison found his happy place — on the basketball court. Ciciarelli, 13, was diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome, a form of autism, as a toddler. He tried out for the Highlands Middle School Rams basketball team last year while in seventh grade and made the cut. Daily practices...
Freeport, Leechburg and Fox Chapel high schools notch wins with anti-drug videos
Three Alle-Kiski area high schools continued their winning streaks for their work promoting awareness about opioid abuse. Freeport, Fox Chapel and Leechburg all placed again during the annual 2018-2019 FBI Pittsburgh Division’s HOPE (Heroin Outreach Prevention and Education) PSA contest. The contest, sponsored by the Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation, aims to...
Highlands High School brings back alumni for cabaret show benefiting spring musical
Highlands High School’s musical program puts the “fun” in fundraising. Each year, dozens of Highlands High School alumni team up with current Highlands musical students to perform a cabaret show that provides critical funds for the spring musical. “The average high school musical costs anywhere from $20,000-$30,000 — those are...
Leechburg’s former Addison House to reopen with new name, new ownersVideo
Leechburg’s Addison House Restaurant and Lounge may soon welcome customers again — with a new name and without alcohol. The popular First Street eatery shut its doors in 2012 in the midst of financial difficulties after the tragic death of co-owner Laura Stettmier in an October 2011 plane crash in...
Gooey goodness: Eateries put unique twists on grilled cheese
The Ancient Romans did it. Ate cheese on toasted bread, that is. For centuries, the grilled cheese sandwich has satisfied appetites. During the 1920s, America embraced the classic grilled cheese, thanks to a readily available supply of inexpensive sliced bread and American cheese. The Armed Forces cooked thousands of grilled...
Expanded facilities are recipe for success at Leechburg Area High SchoolVideo
There’s no such thing as too many cooks in the kitchen at Leechburg Area High School now. A new, expansive Family and Consumer Science Room renovation project was completed last year, providing five state-of-the-art kitchen areas for students in grades 7-12 enrolled in various cooking classes, culinary arts, finance, sports...
West Leechburg turkey captures hearts while eluding apprehensionVideo
A white turkey roaming free in West Leechburg has captured the hearts of some borough residents. It has managed to elude capture, and the identity of its owner remained a mystery Wednesday night. West Leechburg police Chief George Lebetz said his department received multiple calls about the turkey, including reports...
Paczki offer a sweet way to ring in the new yearVideo
It’s the polish pastry that causes a confectionery commotion. January 6 is always a sweet day at Oakmont Bakery — it’s Paczki Day for the iconic family owned and operated bakery. Customers can’t get enough of paczki (pronounced pohnch-kee), the popular filled crispy fried treat that is richer than a...
Leechburg Area biology students raising brook trout — from eggs to spring release
A new project at Leechburg Area High School is making a splash with students. There are 17 juniors and seniors enrolled in Ann Fischer’s Biology 2 “college in high school” course. It’s being offered at Leechburg through Westmoreland County Community College. And they’re getting up close and personal with Pennsylvania’s...
Leechburg Area Media Center moves library in new direction
Leechburg Area School District has turned the page on a new library. Renovations are almost complete on a new Leechburg Area Media Center library and superintendent Tiffany Nix says this latest project is moving the district one step closer to providing a 21st century learning environment for students. “We are...
