Recent Stories

Articles by EllwoodCity.org Staff

November 24, 2015

How the Tree Came to Be

by Caroline Golmic, Aflac When Scott and I first started planning “Let There Be Lights” weekend on behalf of the Ellwood City Area Chamber of Commerce, we were trying to think of what could help make the evening epic. When we walked past the Community Plaza, Scott immediately started dreaming of having a huge tree lit in the circle amphitheater. We looked at some artificial trees online that were 17 to 20 feet and quickly realized they were far out of the Chamber’s budget. The next day, we started calling around to all of the local Christmas tree farms to…

November 24, 2015

Peggy’s Floral in Wampum Meets Every Floral Request with Beauty

Peggy’s Floral has been a staple in Wampum since 1960, when it was opened by Peggy Rychlicki as the perfect place to pick up a bouquet on the way home or order just the right flowers for a prom corsage. Over the years the store evolved and became not just a florist’s shop, but an eclectic gift shop as well. In April of 2014, Valerie Hemphill purchased Peggy’s Floral from the original owner and recently moved it to its current location at 324 Main St. in Wampum. Valerie’s decision to move to the beloved shop from its original location to…

November 24, 2015

Super Soren needs a Wheelchair Van

This adorable 3-year old is Soren Flook. He had a drowning accident on July 1, 2014, was without oxygen and heartbeat for an extended period, then, miraculously revived. He does, however, have resulting brain damage, leaving him unable to walk, talk or eat, and he has numerous health struggles. The family is in dire need of a wheelchair van to get him to his appointments. As he is growing, it is getting more and more difficult to get him into a car seat in an SUV, since he cannot help and he sometimes postures (a severe stiffening of the whole…

November 23, 2015

Annual Municipal Woman’s Club Christmas House Tour

The Ellwood City Municipal Woman’s Club 29th annual Christmas House Tour runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5. Five houses in Ellwood and the surrounding area are featured. The tour, a holiday tradition, gives the community the opportunity to see different styles of homes and decorations. In addition, several local businesses will offer discounts for the tour. This year, the tour is in conjunction with several other fabulous community Christmas events, including the parade, “Light Up Night” and the opening of Christmas in the Park. Homes 2015 House Tour Ryan and Amanda Venezie- 651 Crabapple Lane Bob…

November 23, 2015

Library Activities Week of Nov. 23, 2015

Activities taking place at the Ellwood City Area Public Library include the following: The library will be closed on Thursday, Nov. 26, in observance of the Thanksgiving Day holiday. Normal hours will resume on Friday, Nov. 27. Wednesday, Dec. 2, at 6:30 p.m. – Evening Book Discussion Group for adults. The group will discuss the book, “The Husband’s Secret,” by Liane Moriarity. Call the library at 724-758-6458 for more information. Thursday, Dec. 3, at 3:30 p.m. – Creative Writing Workshop for students in 9th grade and up. The group meets twice each month to share their work and discuss writing…

November 20, 2015

Christmas Tree Erected in Community Plaza

This colossal tree is the newest addition to the Ellwood City Community Plaza on Lawrence Avenue. It stands 29 feet tall and weights over 800 pounds. The tree was erected this morning as the start to a series of Christmas and holiday-themed events taking place in the coming weeks. Once decorated, the tree will have over 7500 lights. There is more to come next week regarding the tree, Light Up Night, the parade and more. Correction: Three tree will have over 7500 lights, which is a tad more exciting than 750.  

November 20, 2015

Ellwood Christmas in the Park Committee Invites All to Decorate Christmas Tree

The Ellwood City Christmas in the Park Committee is inviting area residents and businesses to sponsor and decorate a Christmas tree as part of this year’s display. The trees will line the final stretch of Christmas in the Park near the bocce court and Kid’s Created Kingdom. Sponsorships are $35 per tree. Proceeds will benefit EnCompass Point, a non-profit after school program for teens in Ellwood City. For more information, please contact Therese McShea at 724-321-1226 or Scott Golmic at 724-816-0498.

November 19, 2015

Police: Crying Baby Alerts Neighbors of Mother’s Overdose

At least three Ellwood City residents have died from heroin overdose this year and if it wasn’t for a crying baby, it may have been four. According to the criminal complaint, on Nov. 2 officers responded to a 911 call to check on the welfare of a child crying for an extended period of time. While en route to the residence on Ninth Street, officers were informed that neighbors had gained access to the residence and found a woman laying on the floor in cardiac arrest. When officers arrived at the residence, they identified the woman as Darcy Young, 28,…

November 18, 2015

Police: Gas Station Attendant Hit During Robbery

Robbery: B&B Gas Station Attendant Hit A gas station attendant was treated for injuries sustained during a robbery at B&B on 2335 River Road. The robbery occurred around 8:20 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 16. According to North Sewickley police, the attendant was attacked by a male dressed in a dark, hooded sweatshirt. The suspect hit the attendant several times in the head and threatened the employee with a knife before taking an undetermined amount of money. The suspect fled on foot. The attendant was treated at the Ellwood City hospital and released. Police have been unable to identify from the…

November 17, 2015

Halloween Contest Winners Receive Cash Prize

Congratulations to the winners of the 2015 Ellwoodcity.org Halloween contest! Brixton and Arianna Contino won the contest with 490 votes! The 3-year old twins captured the hearts of Facebook users with their Beetlejuice and Lydia costumes, from the 1988 film Beetlejuice. Emma and Shane Leavens, 4 and 3 years old, dressed as matching scarecrows and won second place with 425 votes. The winners visited the EllwoodCity.org office at the Color Center for their cash prize of $50! The prize was presented by staff member Eric Venezie. Photos were submitted by mothers Ang Contino and Ashley Leavens. Thank you everyone for…