On January 21st, Plum Senior High School hosted an end-of-day assembly celebrating PSHS’s designation as a National Banner Unified Champion School. The CEO of the Special Olympics spoke at the event, honoring PSHS students, staff, and alumni who helped earn this award. This includes PSHS’s participation in Partner model programs like Best Buddies and Unified Sports®, where students with and without disabilities train and play together on the same team, creating shared opportu

Gibsonia resident Laura Bogacz blends creativity and science to create vibrant, small-batch soaps that turn an everyday ritual into something special. For Laura Bogacz, soap is more than a necessity—it’s a canvas. The founder and maker behind Pittsburgh Artisanal Soap Co., LLC, Bogacz lives in Gibsonia with her husband, Michael, and brings a lifelong love of creativity to every bar she makes. A former teacher and stay-at-home mom, she found an unexpected artistic outlet in so

Bethel Park martial arts instructor and world champion Alicia Tavani joins hundreds of players vying for victory in a high-stakes Netflix reality series. When Alicia Tavani stepped off a plane in London to film “Squid Game: The Challenge,” she knew exactly what she was walking into—and what she was leaving behind. No phone. No schedule. No certainty. For most people, that kind of isolation would be unsettling. For Tavani, a 13-time world champion martial artist and owner of N

Ross Township’s Dyed In The Wool has offered inspiration and education for more than two decades. For more than 20 years, Dyed In The Wool on Babcock Boulevard in Ross Township has been a vibrant part of Pittsburgh’s fiber arts community—an inviting space filled with color, texture and connection. At the heart of it all is owner Carol Briggs Dragos, whose lifelong love of yarn has shaped not only a business, but a welcoming creative home for knitters, spinners, weavers and cr

The Laurel Marketplace in Greensburg offers handcrafted goods, community connection and major support for the area’s small businesses. Since opening its doors in March 2023, The Laurel Marketplace has quickly become a cherished destination in downtown Greensburg—rooted in friendship, resilience and a shared passion for supporting local makers. The shop was founded by Marsha Bauer of North Huntingdon—owner of Laurel Country Herbs—alongside her best friend Christina Moore of La

Irish step dancing is a unique cultural art form that may have begun as early as the 1600s! Though the earliest forms of the dance might be unrecognizable today, almost everyone is familiar with the internationally famous Lord of the Dance show featuring routines built upon classic Irish step dancing. It capitalizes on the showier jumps, and performs the steps at lightning speed to dramatic effect. But the basic steps and jumps are the same as what is taught at the Shovlin Ac

LevelUp Pickleball Club’s Baseline Bar & Grille turns pickleball into an all-day hang, with fresh food, drinks, and a cool social vibe. Baseline Bar & Grille feels like the kind of place you instantly belong. Located in Canonsburg, the neighborhood restaurant can be found inside the LevelUp Pickleball Club on Mayview Road, giving it an unmistakably sporty, community-driven feel. At the heart of it all is Greg Braeudigam, chef and manager, whose passion for food, people, and c

Movies, markets, music and more... Moon Parks & Rec has fun events for all. There may still be snow on the ground, but spring is on the way! Fun community events have been scheduled for Moon Township residents this year. You can cut out this handy list of events and post it where your entire family can see, because there’s something for everyone. Moon Market & Music has become a much-anticipated event series, providing an opportunity to browse local products and produce, an

Every other Friday, Mike Matteo and Dr. Montaire Taylor meet with their student leadership team and carefully listen. One by one, each of the nine 4th graders share their ideas and input with Evergreen Elementary’s principal and counselor, ideas which are carefully considered and implemented. Meetings like these are commonplace across the district’s schools. Gateway High School and Middle School both have their leadership teams, but so too do all four of the district’s elemen

In recent years, several talented young players from Allegheny County, known as mibsters, have found national success at the annual National Marbles Tournament in Wildwood, New Jersey (left photo). Some of these champions even come from right here in Shaler Township. Since the tournament began in 1922, Allegheny County has produced more than 30 national champions, with many of those victories occurring in just the past two decades. The term “mibster” refers to young marble pl

A place to find unique gifts for Christmas or any occasion since 1943. The Trading post is a wonderful place to find unique items for Christmas gifts and other occasions that cannot be found in stores. Some of the treasures are vintage, and will no doubt bring a smile to the faces of recipients as they remember Christmases past with a gift from long ago. The Trading Post began during World War II, when many items were rationed for the public. This caused a shortage of childre

7th grader and Makerleader Inara Caswell points to the project that her and fellow Makerleader, Sutra Lateef (8th grade) are creating on the Glow Forge. Middle school students are stepping into the future inside the newly renovated library, now transformed into a vibrant makerspace. With access to an indoor miniature robotics field, a 3D printer, and glow forge printers and cutters, students are gaining hands-on experiences that bring learning to life. These tools spark innov

Adrianne Arena-Jacobs has been dancing in the spotlight since she was a child. Decades later, she still derives joy from her lifelong passion. Adrianne Arena-Jacobs may be a familiar name to those who have participated in Moon Area High School theater productions. She has choreographed more than 20 productions for the school’s spring musicals, which are noted for their high-caliber performances. Her dance journey began when she was just 3 years old. Her mother, hoping to expe

As bleary eyed students walk the hallways during arrival at Gateway High School, they’re greeted by a wagging tail and a friendly face: Roxie, a labrador retriever. Over at Gateway Middle School or Ramsey Elementary, the cool disposition of pint-sized Kyla, a havapoo, or Ranger, a goldendoodle, helps ease the tensions of young learners in difficult times. At the Gateway School District administrative office, Ben, a golden retriever, roams around from office to office, nudging

The Lamp Theatre in Irwin became a place of remembrance, honor, and community spirit on Sunday, September 21, as veterans, families, and local organizations gathered for GI Canteen for a Day to commemorate the 80th anniversary of V-J Day—the day marking the end of World War II. Among those who played an important role in the ceremony were students from the Norwin School District, whose involvement demonstrated the importance of educating future generations about service and s

Peters Township Field Hockey is a hidden gem in the community, offering opportunities for girls in grades K-12. Field hockey may not be...

McMurray Elementary 5th-grader Santino Wynne wins national essay contest and a trip to the Kennedy Space Center. Santino with an external...

One of the highlights of Settlers Cabin Park is, of course, the historic cabin for which it’s named. But if you only explored the area...

McKeesport hosts 65th annual International Village The 65th annual International Village brought three days of traditional food, fun, and...

Some people want to do more than just read about history—they want to experience it. And at the Wyckoff-Mason House, they can! The...