The lives of our ancestors were connected to the land in a delicate dance between nature and the changing seasons. We can rekindle that connection at Round Hill Park. Very few of us are farmers these days. But those who make their living from the land have a wonderful opportunity to be outdoors, working with plants and animals. Round Hill Park is perhaps one of the most unique areas in the Allegheny County Parks system. It is an actual working farm, complete with cows, goats,

WOMEN of Southwestern PA hosted its sold-out 17th Annual Symphony of Food on Jan. 30 at Bella Sera Event Villa & Catering—bringing together community leaders, area residents, sponsors, and volunteers for an elegant evening benefiting women and children in need. The event featured dining, raffles, auctions and live entertainment, highlighted by an inspiring presentation from Marlella Thomas of the Legacy of Hope Center, continuing the organization’s 25-year mission that has ra

North Allegheny Senior High School presented the musical “Frozen” from Feb. 25 through March 1, bringing the beloved Disney story to life on stage. Featuring favorite songs and characters from the hit animated film—including sisters Elsa and Anna, and of course, Olaf the snowman—the students produced five evening performances and a Sunday matinee. A special Gold Card member preview performance was also held Feb. 24, offering an early look at the show. PHOTOS BY RUBY MORRIS

North Allegheny student Sidney Rice stitches sustainability and imagination into a fast-rising future in fashion. At just 17, Sidney Rice is redefining what fashion can be—and where it can come from. A lifelong Pittsburgher, Sidney, a junior at North Allegheny Senior High School, recently earned national recognition as a 2026 YoungArts Award winner in fashion design. Sidney’s journey began early—with thread, a needle, and creativity. “My mom taught me to sew when I was 6,” sh

You can help save the life of animals by supporting Animal Lifeline Pittsburgh. Animal Lifeline Pittsburgh in Homestead provides care for at-risk and homeless pets, including a lifesaving transport program for animals in need. It is a nonprofit supported by a 100% volunteer staff, which assures that every dollar donated goes directly to the needs of the animals. Some of the care Animal Lifeline provides includes emergency medical care, dental care, spaying and neutering, and

Within the past year, the Shaler Township Board of Commissioners granted a zoning change to the Mt. Alvernia campus located in the First Ward. Vacant since 2018, the Mt. Alvernia campus spans approximately 24 acres across both Shaler and Millvale. It features more than 200,000 square feet of historic buildings anchored by the magnificent Motherhouse constructed in 1897. Q Development seeks to revitalize the property and reintegrate it into the surrounding community, all while

The world of AJ Owen suddenly got a whole lot bigger when he reached out to the community with compassion. EARLY DAYS OF THE FOOD PANTRY In November 2025, AJ Owen explained to his children that people were going to lose their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits and they might go hungry. “My two children are 7 and 9 years old, and I’ve always wanted them to be knowledgeable about what is going on in the world around them.” Kids often see things pretty sim

Students strike a pose prior to the Induction Ceremony in November. The National Honor Society (NHS) chapter at Carlynton Junior Senior High School continues to show the organization’s values of scholarship, leadership, service, and character through its involvement in both school and community service. During the first semester, Carlynton NHS students completed over 1,000 hours of volunteer service, showing their dedication not only to academics but also to helping others. T

A grandfather’s music, a grandson’s vision and a cast of young performers came together to produce and perform an original musical rooted in faith and collaboration. Jude Glover (center) portrays Jesus with Sylvia Youshack (right) as Mary and Leo Pietroforte as Lazarus. “Another Miracle” premiered in February at Carnegie Stage in downtown Carnegie, marking the first time the original musical had ever been fully produced and staged. The invitation-only performances were not th

Lacrosse is known as the “fastest game on two feet.” With a ball that zings across the field at 75 miles per hour, it’s an exciting game to watch and play. Lacrosse has grown in popularity across the country, and Millcreek has also seen a growing interest in the sport. Josh Bischof, president of the McDowell Trojan Lacrosse Booster Club, has been involved in the sport for years. His oldest daughter, Adelaide, began playing in fourth grade and fell in love with it. His younge

Baxter’s R•Cade in Southpointe brings play and nostalgia to the South Hills. In a region known for its growing entertainment scene, Baxter’s R•Cade has quickly carved out a space as a go-to destination for play, food, connection—wrapped in a bit of nostalgia. Located in Southpointe Town Center in Canonsburg, Baxter’s blends classic arcade fun with an elevated restaurant and bar experience, offering something refreshingly different for the South Hills. The idea came from Dan

The Woodland Hills Performing Arts Department presented “Guys and Dolls, Jr.” as this year’s junior musical, with four performances in mid-January at the Thomas G. Crone Auditorium. The full-scale production starred students in grades 7–9 and brought the humor and heart of the Broadway classic to the junior stage. Directed by Robert Carr, the show featured a large student cast and crew, highlighting the talent across the district’s middle grades. The production was praised as

At just 9 years old, Upper St. Clair’s Maya Bhandari is finding success on the mat as part of the fastest-growing high school sport in the country—girls wrestling. On wrestling mats across Pennsylvania and beyond, Maya Claire Bhandari is making her presence known—not just with wins, but with more confidence than the average elementary school student. A fourth grader at Streams Elementary School in the Upper St. Clair School District, Maya is only 9 years old, but she already

The Fuller Hose Volunteer Fire Department has been answering the call to care on cold, dark nights for over 140 years. After the town of North East burned to the ground multiple times, the citizens saw an obvious need for fire protection. In 1885, a fire company was launched with 26 members. Ezra N. Fuller donated $100 toward the purchase of a hand-drawn hose cart, and the members paid homage by naming the company in his honor. According to legend, years later when Fuller Ho

The Sewickley Runners Club has built a community one Tuesday at a time. On any given Tuesday evening in Sewickley, a familiar scene unfolds at the corner of Beaver and Broad streets—sneakers laced up, friendly greetings are exchanged, and runners of all ages and paces gather with a shared purpose. This scene is the meeting of the Sewickley Runners Club (SRC)—a weekly tradition that has grown from a small idea into a thriving community built on consistency and connection. The

From exfoliating scrubs to restorative massages, treat yourself to a spring spa treatment designed to renew skin, relax muscles, and welcome the warmer months. Cold days and heavy layers can leave both body and mind feeling dull. Spring is nature’s reminder that renewal is possible. With brightening facials, restorative massages, and revitalizing body treatments, spas offer an ideal way to refresh after months of winter hibernation. Here’s a list of local spas and salons wher

A guide to a few of the local garden nurseries where the season comes alive with colorful annuals, native perennials, flowering trees and more. Elk Creek Lawn and Garden Address: 4984 North Creek Road, Girard Contact: facebook.com/elkcreeklgp, 814.774.0700 Find what you need to make your garden grow at this family-owned garden center. Be sure to check out the pet supplies and great selection of garden statues and decor as well. Gordon L. Luke’s Greenhouse Address: 77 Grahamvi

Peggy Gray Candies of North Springfield has been a special treat for over 100 years, for kids from 1 to 92. In 1922 Marguerite (Peggy) Holliday was a physical education teacher. She began losing her hearing however, which made it impossible to continue as a teacher. Though many people might have decided to just stay home, Peggy never missed a beat. She quickly shifted gears, and looked for a new career to help her family. She had always enjoyed making candy as a hobby, and

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