The name Schenley has been immortalized all over Pittsburgh, but if Mary Elizabeth Croghan Schenley were alive today, no doubt her name would be in the headlines for every celebrity gossip site. A descendant of one of Pittsburgh’s most illustrious families, Mary Elizabeth Croghan was born in April 27, 1826, in Louisville, Kentucky, to William Croghan, Jr., and Mary O’Hara. Mary O’Hara was the daughter
Read the Full Article →
Humanity is truly fortunate that Jonas Salk, a son of Russian-Jewish immigrants, choose medicine over his original goal of becoming an attorney. Or perhaps we should thank his mother, who never thought he would be a good lawyer! Whatever the final motivation, love of medicine or a mother’s desire for her son to be a doctor, Jonas Salk started down a path that would save
Read the Full Article →
Like St. Nicholas, whose life morphed into the legendary figure of Santa Claus, or Phoebe Moses, who became Annie Oakley, John Chapman’s real life was so unusual that it inspired a legend: Johnny Appleseed. While legends are often dressed up in the fairy tale garb of whimsy, fantasy, and out-sized virtue, the real stories of the people behind the legends are often more interesting and
Read the Full Article →
If Los Angeles is known as the “City of Angels,” then Pittsburgh could be known as the “City of the Angel”. Johnny Angel, to be exact. Johnny Angel and his bandmates, the Halos, have been ruling the Pittsburgh music realm since 1972. “I think we are the longest surviving group in the area,” said Jack Hunt, who is more prominently known by his stage name,
Read the Full Article →
In 2008, while working for another media outlet, I was asked to fill in for my publisher at an event that our publication had sponsored–the Kean Idol contest at St. Barnabas Health System in Gibsonia. I was to be there when the awards were given to the winners of this talent competition. During the evening, I watched talented competitor after talented competitor take the stage
Read the Full Article →
“Anytime you have an opportunity to make things better and you don’t, then you are wasting your time on this Earth.” ~Roberto Clemente Pittsburgh awoke to a big snow storm on New Year’s Day in 1973. The news that greeted Pittsburghers as they turned on their radios and televisions was unbelievable. Tragically, their star Pirate baseball player had been taken from them in the prime
Read the Full Article →
Dahlen Ritchey was born January 31, 1910, and grew up in the Oakland section of Pittsburgh on Parkview Avenue. Along with his sister Virginia, Dahlen was one of two children of Charles and Anne Ritchey. Their father was employed at J&L Steel, and the family lived close to Forbes Field where Dahl often worked as an usher. Since Parkview Avenue was in close proximity to
Read the Full Article →
Pittsburgh, like the best metropolitan cities, has been a melting pot whose famous notables rose above humble beginnings to contribute to our national identity. From sports icons to little known inventors, Pittsburghers have touched the world! Sports Legends Kurt Angle Kurt Angle, world champion wrestler, graduated from Clarion University and won an Olympic Gold Medal in 1996. Dan Marino One of the most famous quarterbacks
Read the Full Article →
The woman who would become famous as Nellie Bly was born Elizabeth Jane Cochran on May 5, 1864. She was the child of a prominent judge and a loving mother in Cochran’s Mills, PA, just forty miles east of Pittsburgh. Before becoming known as Nellie, Jane acquired the nickname of “Pink” when her mother christened her in a bright pink gown. Perhaps it was an
Read the Full Article →
The year was 1968. Martin Luther King was assassinated. Robert Kennedy was assassinated. Students occupied ColumbiaUniversity as Vietnam War protests broke out all over the country. Riots erupted at the Democratic National Convention. American Olympic medalists gave the Black Power salute during the medals ceremony. And Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood went national. If ever a man was not of his time, it was Fred Rogers. Kind,
Read the Full Article →
