Sewickley Nonprofit Announces New Name
The Sewickley organization originally launched as The Tull Family Theater is pleased to announce a 10-year sponsorship by The Corry Family Foundation, leading to its renaming: The Lindsay Theater and Cultural Center, or “The Lindsay,” effective Jan. 1, 2023. The Corry family’s multiyear gift is a tribute to their late, much-adored daughter and sister, Lindsay Nicole Corry. Lindsay Corry graduated from Carnegie Mellon University with honors, earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees, and had a successful business career in private equity in New York City. Since infancy, she lived with Type 1 diabetes and, in January 2020, was diagnosed with cancer and passed away in August 2021, at the age of 30.
Pittsburgh Youth Concert Orchestra Christmas Concert
Listen to the beautiful sounds of the season as these gifted students share their talents on Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022 at 4 p.m. at St. Richard Church, 3841 Dickey Road, Gibsonia PA 15044. Pablo Ardilies will conduct the concert, which is part of the newly established Saints Martha & Mary Parish Concert Series. Free to all attendees; freewill offerings accepted. Visit
Fox Chapel Area High School Clubs Help with Community Service Projects
Two Fox Chapel Area High School clubs recently participated in local community service projects. The Fox Chapel Area High School History Club participated in a cemetery cleanup at the abandoned Duncan Heights Cemetery in McCandless Township. Club members seniors Elijah Conklin, Caleb Hahl, Paul Kullmann, and Arvind Seshan, and FCAHS history teacher and club advisor Eric Norberg, gathered at the cemetery in October to cut grass, clear weeds, and reopen a trail on the property. The Fox Chapel Area High School Fishing Club recently partnered with the Allison Park Sportsmen’s Club and the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission to stock trout in the Pine Creek Watershed in October, placing trout in the delayed harvest stretch of the creek located between Bryant Road and Mt. Royal Boulevard in Allison Park. FCAHS counselor John Baxter, and social studies teachers Scott Karavlan and Eric Norberg, are members of the Allison Park Sportsmen’s Club and helped to coordinate the stocking effort. Club members, juniors Jack Lynch and Gavin Rosswog, helped with the trout restocking.
Seneca Valley to Hold 24th Annual Senior Holiday Event
The Seneca Valley School District will hold its 24th Annual Senior Holiday Event at 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022, in the Seneca Valley Intermediate High School Auditorium. This special holiday presentation is for senior citizens living in the Seneca Valley School District community and will feature various performances by high school student groups, including the SV Jazz Ensemble. Doors open at noon. A sit-down holiday meal will be served in the Seneca Valley Intermediate High School Cafeteria immediately following the student performances. The event is free, but reservations are required; call 724-452-6040, ext. 0 by Dec. 13, 2022.
CAN Sponsors Guest Artist
The Cranberry Artists Network is sponsoring guest artist Yelena Lamm at its biannual meeting on Dec. 1 at 7 p.m. in the Grange room in the Cranberry Township Municipal Center. Born in Saint Petersburg, Russia, where she received her formal art training from the N. K. Roerich Fine Arts School, Lamm now lives in Pittsburgh where she paints primarily in oil. The meeting is open to the public. For more information, visit https://www.cranberryartistsnetwork.com.
Mark Marsen promoted at Allies for Health + Wellbeing
Mark Marsen, formerly director of human resources for Allies for Health + Wellbeing, was recently promoted to chief culture and people officer at the organization. The position is new to Allies, and in this role, Marsen is responsible for formulating strategic and operational goals as well as translating Allies’ mission and vision into actionable objectives specific to areas of expertise. Marsen joined the staff of the Pittsburgh AIDS Task Force in 2016, though he had volunteered with the organization beginning in 1986. The Pittsburgh AIDS Task Force rebranded as Allies for Health + Wellbeing in 2017.
Festival of Lights Returns to La Roche University
La Roche University will host its annual Festival of Lights holiday event on Friday, Dec. 2. Sponsored by UPMC Health Plan, UPMC Passavant and the Passavant Hospital Foundation, Festival of Lights will run from 3 to 9 p.m. on the University’s campus in the North Hills of Pittsburgh. Admission is free, and the event is open to the public. Festival of Lights will include a craft show, fireworks, activities for children, a visit from Santa Claus, food trucks, live ice sculpting and carriage rides. From 6-8:15 p.m., the La Roche Student Government Association will accept donations for the Cans for Cocoa food drive at the entrance of the Kerr Fitness & Sports Center that will be distributed to the North Hills Community Outreach and the La Roche panty for students in need. For the full schedule of events, please visit https://laroche.edu/lights/.
North Hills Chorale Concerts
The North Hills Chorale will present three Christmas concerts entitled Comfort and Joy on Sunday, Dec. 4 at 2 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church of Bakerstown, 5825 Heckert Road, Bakerstown, PA 15007; Saturday, Dec. 10 at 7 p.m. at Memorial Park Church, 8800 Peebles Road, Allison Park, PA; and Sunday, Dec. 11 at 3 p.m. at Memorial Park Church, 8800 Peebles Road, Allison Park, PA. Freewill offerings accepted. Attendees are encouraged to bring a nonperishable food donation for the North Hills Community Outreach Food Pantry. More information is available at https://www.nhchorale.com.
FCAHS Students Place at UVA & Pitt Model UN Conferences
Eight Fox Chapel Area High School students recently won awards at two Model United Nations (UN) Conferences. The team of sophomores Ori Goldin and Ulyana Kubini won an honorable mention and junior Logan Dressman and sophomores Swati Mylarappa and Holden Starz each won verbal commendations at the University of Virginia Model UN (VAMUN) Conference. Juniors Connor Mazzoni and Logan Dressman, and sophomores Benjamin Fiedler and Arnim Kuchhal each won honorable mention awards at the University of Pittsburgh Model UN High School Conference
FCAHS Students Place in Pittsburgh District Novice Speech and Debate Tournament
Three Fox Chapel Area High School speech and debate team members recently placed in the annual Pittsburgh District Novice Tournament. The team of freshmen Joanna Li and Simon Littwin won fourth place in Parliamentary Debate, and sophomore Swati Mylarappa won sixth place in Impromptu Speaking. Additionally, due to their performances in speech and debate and Model United Nations (UN) tournaments over the last 10 days, Joanna and freshman Ori Goldin earned their lifetime membership in the National Speech and Debate Association.
Live Performances at the Legacy Theatre At Cumberland Woods Village
The Legacy Theatre at Cumberland Woods Village presents concerts, live theatre, free movies and free seminars open to the community. Shows in December include:
A Very Merry Sinatra and Streisand Christmas : Sat., Dec. 3, 2 and 7:30 p.m.
Soul of America: A Tribute to Aretha Franklin: Sat., March 25, 2 and 7:30 p.m.
To order tickets, visit TheLegacyLineup.com. Discounts available when you purchase tickets for more than one show; see the complete schedule for 2023 at TheLegacyLineup.com.
Butler Memorial Hospital Awarded ‘A’ from Leapfrog Group Butler Memorial Hospital received an “A” Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group. This national distinction celebrates Butler Memorial Hospital’s achievements in protecting hospital patients from preventable harm and errors. The Leapfrog Group is an independent national watchdog organization with a 10-year history of assigning letter grades to general hospitals throughout the United States, based on a hospital’s ability to prevent medical errors and harm to patients. To learn more, visit HospitalSafetyGrade.org.
FCEA Holds Fall Non-Food Drive
The members of the Fox Chapel Educators Association (FCEA) recently held a fall non-food drive for items needed by the Sharpsburg Community Library and the Second Harvest Thrift Store pantries. Hundreds of items were collected and included personal care items, baby items, household cleaning items, items for pets, and more.
Pittsburgh Cultural Trust Names New President and CEO pix Pittsburgh Cultural Trust Board Chair Richard Harshman recently announced that Kendra Whitlock Ingram has been named the Cultural Trust’s new president and chief executive officer, replacing retiring President and CEO J. Kevin McMahon. A Duquesne University graduate and current president and CEO of the Marcus Performing Arts Center in Milwaukee, WI, Ingram has held senior roles in performing arts management at some of the country’s most venerable arts institutions. Ingram will be the second female president & CEO and first person of color to be at the Cultural Trust’s helm in its 38-year history.
FCAHS Students Place in Erie Forensic Tournament
Four Fox Chapel Area High School students recently placed at the 20th Annual M & M Invitational Speech and Debate Tournament. Senior Sonny Hur won first place in Lincoln Douglas Debate and also earned his first bid to participate in the Pennsylvania High School Speech League State Championship Tournament to be held in March 2023. Freshman Ulyana Kubini won third place and freshman Greta Erdner earned sixth place in Original Oratory, and sophomore Swati Mylarappa won fifth place in Student Congress. Additionally, as a result of their performances in speech and debate competitions, Ulyana and sophomore Varnujah Rengaramanujam Kanagaraj earned their lifetime memberships in the National Speech and Debate Association.
TIME Names Ehrman Crest One Of The Best Inventions For 202
On Nov. 10, TIME released its list of the best inventions of 2022, and Ehrman Crest Elementary/Middle School made the list. TIME editors highlighted the most impactful new products and ideas from around the world based on a number of key factors, including originality, efficacy, ambition and impact. In their review of the building, TIME noted Ehrman Crest’s harmonic walls that educate about sound, fractions, and energy; graphic walls with animals and numbers; and magnetic walls that let kids study local ecology. Ehrman Crest is the only educational institution chosen for any category and one of just six best inventions to be featured in the design category.
Pittsburgh Opera to have inaugural Summer Camp in July 2023
Pittsburgh Opera will hold its inaugural Summer Camp July 10-21, 2023. The Camp, called Bravo Academy, is designed for high school students who are interested in opera and other performing arts. Participants will receive invaluable hands-on experience with leading industry professionals and performers. Each instructor is a specialist in their field, selected to offer participants a broad, accurate view of the world of opera. Bravo Academy will culminate with a final, professional showcase performance by the participants at the Bitz Opera Factory on Friday, July 21st at 7 p.m. Participants can sign up online at pittsburghopera.org/BravoEnroll or by contacting Rebekah Diaz at 412-281-0912 x256. More information is available at https://www.pittsburghopera.org/education/bravo-academy.
Dorseyville Middle School Hosts WWII Exhibit
The new Dorseyville Middle School LIGHT Center is hosting its first exhibit, a collection of World War II artifacts on loan from the personal collections of several of the school’s faculty members. Twelve of the school’s eighth-graders were instrumental in curating and arranging the exhibit, and are serving as docents. Led by eighth-grade reading and language arts teacher and LIGHT Coordinator Scott Vensel, the students not only collaborated with the Holocaust museum of Houston to learn how to set up an exhibit and curate a space, but they also interviewed staff members who lent the items about their family history and their personal connections to World War II. Each student and teacher at Dorseyville Middle School will have the opportunity to view the exhibit to hear and honor the veterans’ stories. As part of the exhibit, students walking through can scan a QR code and listen to various facts about the memorabilia. The exhibit will be open to DMS students and teachers until Dec. 23, 2022.
HalfDream: Another Room Opens at The Mattress Factory
HalfDream: Another Room, a new solo exhibition by Hong Kong and US-based artist Doreen Chan, will open to the public on Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022, with a reception and conversation with the artist on Friday Dec. 2 at 6 p.m. The new site-specific installation engages Chan’s on-going participatory art project, HalfDream, in which users around the world can describe their dreams, adding them to a database which matches common dreams of participants and connects “dreammates.” The exhibition will be on view in the museum’s main building through the fall of 2023.
Featured Events for Adults at Northland Library Registration required, where noted, to attend these free virtual and in-person programs. For more information and to register: www.northlandlibrary.org or call the Ask A Librarian desk at 412-366-8100, ext. 113.
SASSY SENIORS CHRISTMAS SPECIAL: Thursday, Dec. 1 at 2 p.m. Join performers from the Better Than Ever Independents as they perform songs, skits, and comedy to celebrate the season! Registration is required. Register to watch virtually at bit.ly/SassySeniorChristmas.
DEMENTIA & THE HOLIDAYS: Thursday, Dec. 1 at 6 p.m. McMaster, memory care advisor from Arden Courts, will cover common missteps around the holidays and how to avoid them, winter safety for people with dementia, tips for reducing stress, and answers questions you may have about helping you and your loved one get the most out of the holiday season. Registration is required.
UGLY SWEATER HOLIDAY PARTY: Friday, Dec. 9 at 6:30 p.m. Upstairs Nonfiction Section We'll enjoy some hot chocolate and treats, have stations set up for festive crafting, and you could even win a prize playing trivia and other holiday games! Registration is required for this adult after-hours program.
HOLIDAY COOKIE SWAP: Monday, Dec. 12 at 6 p.m. Bring cookies to share or just join members of your community for conversation and holiday cheer. We will provide pens and note cards for labeling your cookies, but feel free to also bring the recipe to share! Registration is required. If you would like to bring cookies, please email colemank2@northlandlibrary.org.
SIGNS OF THE HOLIDAYS: Thursday, Dec. 8 at 6 p.m. Join Katy Ondek, nationally certified ASL Interpreter who has been working in the field for more than 20 years, as she teaches ASL fingerspelling and signs for some of the holidays celebrated in the winter season. Registration is required.
THE BEATLES: FROM LIVERPOOL TO ABBY ROAD: Thursday, Dec. 15 at 6 p.m. A Zoom presentation. Beatles Scholar and storyteller Vinnie Bruno takes us along in the footsteps of The Beatles. Registration is required for this virtual program.
Aquinas Academy Seniors Earn National Merit Letters of Commendation Three Aquinas Academy of Pittsburgh seniors have received Letters of Commendation for their performance on the 2023 National Merit Scholarship Competition. Mary BouSamra, Samuel Buchanan, and Liam Ellis rank among approximately 34,000 Commended Students nationwide who are being recognized for their exceptional academic promise.
Two Aquinas Academy Athletes Sign Letters of Intent on National Signing Day
Two Aquinas Academy of Pittsburgh seniors, Isabella Hite and Vincent Cugini, signed their Letters of Intent on National Signing Day, Wednesday, Nov. 9, in a ceremony held in the Rhodora J. Donahue Building in front of classmates, high school coaches, and family. Hite signed her Letter of Intent to play for Belmont Abbey's Division II field hockey program. Cugini signed his Letter of Intent to play basketball for Pitt-Johnstown.