Joyce Hanz stories, Page 7
Mercurio’s pizza chef takes home win competing in Italy
A trio of local Italian siblings are celebrating their sister’s pizza-making prowess and subsequent win in an international pizza competition. Anna Crucitt and Michael and Joe Mecurio co-own and operate Mercurio’s, known for authentic homemade Neapolitan pizza and artisan gelato, with locations in Shadyside and O’Hara. Crucitt recently won first...
Sewickley 8-year-old launches fundraiser to help L.A. wildfire victims
A third grade Sewickley Academy student has launched a fundraiser in response to the recent horrific wildfires impacting Southern California. Sa’Niya Miller of Sewickley has a routine of catching up on local and national news each morning as she readies herself for school. “My grandparents and my stepdad, that’s all...
Green scene grows at Sewickley Academy
A student-run greenhouse at Sewickley Academy is a little greener thanks to the recent generosity of an alumnus. Bob Jones (’61) read a recent TribLive Sewickley Herald article about Sewickley Academy junior Emma Ehan and her efforts to make over and spruce up the once defunct greenhouse at the Senior...
Oakmont Bakery raising money for Marc Fogel with cookies in his likeness
The viral image of Oakmont resident Marc Fogel sipping a drink on an airplane following his release from a Russian prison Tuesday is one of two images on Oakmont Bakery’s “Home Sweet Cookies.” “Luckiest man on Earth” is written under the image. Oakmont Bakery’s Marc Serrao, who co-owns the business...
Preschool adventure backpacks debut at Sewickley Public Library
A new adventure awaits preschoolers at the Sewickley Public Library. The children’s department is now offering seven new Preschool Adventure Kits for borrowing. Each clear backpack is filled with materials to play, learn and discover and has three books, puzzles, games or toys on a concept or topic to encourage...
‘Never Missed a Super Bowl’ Harrison native set to attend 59th championship
No one has been to more Super Bowls than Tom Henschel — he’s been to every one. At 83, the Harrison native will break his own record by attending his 59th Super Bowl on Sunday in New Orleans, a milestone he shares with just two other men. More people have...
Sewickley Academy educator celebrates 20 years of preschool instruction
Crista Pryor blends excitement with education in her preschool classroom at Sewickley Academy. A colorful faux cheeseburger seat and an ice cream cone stool are a few fun and functional features in her room. And there’s Sheldon the live turtle living in a large tank in the hallway, a hit...
Pittsburgh Youth Lacrosse extends scholarship applications for 2025 season
Pittsburgh Youth Lacrosse Association directors are urging Pittsburgh-area youth to register and apply for scholarships for the upcoming 2025 spring season. PYLAX is a nonprofit charitable organization committed to engagement in the community with a mission of providing an inclusive and positive sports program for all players. Online registration is...
Fox Chapel’s Chloe Yofan pursuing a career with the violin
Chloe Yofan of Fox Chapel can barely remember a time when a violin wasn’t a fixture in her life. The 24-year-old recalled her earliest violin memory: “I remember going to my first ever violin lesson when I was 5 and learning the names of the violin strings. I also remember...
Tupelo Honey reopens in Station Square after rectifying rodent issue
The biscuits are back. A Southern-themed comfort food bar and restaurant in Station Square has reopened after addressing pest management concerns discovered last year by the Allegheny Health Department. Tupelo Honey Southern Kitchen & Bar first opened in January 2022. In October, the restaurant closed after receiving several pest citations....
Edgeworth woman embraces a myriad of volunteering opportunities in Sewickley
Karen Galbraith of Edgeworth exists in a volunteer vortex. “My interest is in sustainability volunteering, and I got my start with Sustainable Sewickley,” Galbraith said. From there, she now volunteers with the Village Garden Club of Sewickley (first vice president of membership), the Little Garden Club, Sewickley Civic Garden Council...
From Germany to Fox Chapel: A local attorney’s story
Oktoberfest is Arnie von Waldow’s favorite holiday — and for good reason. The Fox Chapel-based bilingual attorney was born in Germany and continues to embrace his German heritage professionally and personally. Traveling to participate in Oktoberfest in Munich is one of his favorite ways to dive into his German heritage...
Pittsburgh area chefs, eateries snag semifinal nominations for 35th annual James Beard Awards
Three Pittsburgh restaurants and their chefs are getting national attention after being named semifinalists in the 35th annual James Beard Awards. The chefs at vegan restaurant Apteka, located in Bloomfield, have been nominated for the fourth straight year for Best Chef Mid-Atlantic award, covering New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Washington, D.C., Maryland...
Union Aid Society continues legacy of helping neighbors in need in Sewickley area
Naomi Gilchrist doesn’t remember exactly when she moved into her apartment in Sewickley, but she does recall the assistance from the Union Aid Society that helped to make living there possible. “I have my own little apartment — it’s a nice apartment — and I’m very pleased to have it,”...
Shadyside entrepreneur heats up the local hot sauce scene
Artie Pitt is livin’ the spice life. After a successful 20-plus-year career in the cannabis trade and music industries, Pitt is pursuing a lifelong love of making spicy foods — particularly hand-crafted hot sauce. Pitt launched Artie’s Hot Sauce in October 2023 after cooking up batches of hot sauce and,...
Roku available for checkout at Sewickley Public Library
Get your Netflix or Amazon Prime fix for free with a Roku Express checkout kit from the Sewickley Public Library. “It’s great if you want to try it out or don’t have one or maybe just want to watch a movie,” said Richelle Klug, communications and social media librarian. The...
Pup pet service debuts in Sewickley
Michelle Cook has gone to the dogs, but she wouldn’t have it any other way. “I talk to dogs more than I talk to people,” said the pup walker, trainer and caretaker. Cook, 40, resides in Sewickley and opened Sky’s The Limit this month. Dog walking is the most requested...
Widow of Corey Comperatore, firefighter killed at Trump rally, to attend inauguration events
The widow of a Buffalo Township firefighter killed at President-elect Donald Trump’s campaign rally in Butler County over the summer plans to be in Washington for inauguration-related events. “It’s an honor to be invited. I am always so honored when the president invites us to spend time with him, and...
Mediterranean-themed restaurant slated for Aspinwall
An Indiana Township restaurateur is hoping to open a Turkish-themed bar and eatery in a former historic train station in Aspinwall. The former Luke & Mike’s Frontporch permanently closed on Dec. 28 and co-owner Sheri Rice confirmed Jan. 7 the business is under contract with Pittsburgh-based Finike LLC., registered to...
O’Hara resident settles into leadership at Southern Allegheny Valley Emergency Services
A third-generation volunteer firefighter is continuing a family legacy of public service in Sharpsburg and Aspinwall. Shaler native Mike Daniher is the inaugural chief of Southern Allegheny Valley Emergency Services, or SAVES. The communities of Sharpsburg and Aspinwall merged their fire departments into a new company in 2023 in an...
Mobile party staffing business a fixture for 35 years in Pittsburgh
Tami McQuaid never thought she’d make a career out of being a hostess with the “mostest.” But 35 years later, Great Gatherings, a mobile professional staffing business owned by McQuaid, provides professional servers, bartenders, cooks and event promoters for private and corporate events in the Pittsburgh region. “My parents, Robert...
Quaker Valley soccer players want to bring public chess to Sewickley
Two soccer-loving friends are kicking around a new fundraiser to provide public chess in Sewickley. Quaker Valley High School students and lifelong friends Charlie Pyle of Sewickley and Sutton Hoehl of Edgeworth began playing soccer together as preschoolers. Fast forward to 2025 and both play on the Quaker Valley High...
Nonprofit founded in 1928 looks to bolster membership, awareness among Fox Chapel-area municipalities
A community-based nonprofit is looking to boost membership and raise awareness throughout the Fox Chapel-area communities it has served for almost 100 years. The District Association of the Fox Chapel Area raises funds that are donated directly back into the communities in the Fox Chapel Area School District — Aspinwall,...
Historic Addison House, now 1st Street Cafe, debuts new look in Leechburg
An Upper Burrell retiree is close to fulfilling her dream of providing a historically influenced, coffee-themed dining destination, one room at a time. The 1st Street Cafe, housed in the former Addison House Restaurant & Lounge on First Street in Leechburg’s business district, has a fresh new look, thanks to...
Canonsburg man among those injured in New Orleans
A Canonsburg man was among those injured when a man drove a truck around a police blockade and into a crowd of revelers during New Year’s celebrations early Wednesday morning in New Orleans. A family member said Jeremi Sensky, 51, was hurt in what authorities termed a terrorist attack by...
