Human Interest

Local Fitness Instructor Hosting Kickboxing Classes

Jacquie Zona is on a mission to share her love of fitness with the community. Whether it’s through kickboxing, Barre, Pilates, or other group fitness classes, Jacquie’s goal is to provide workouts for everyone—the moms, the dads, the kids, those who have been working out their entire lives, and those who are new and maybe a little intimidated. “I love the way exercise makes me feel and I want to inspire others to love it as well” she said. “I believe that there is a form of exercise for each person. Once you help them find what they love, it…


Smoothies, Juices, Sandwiches Served Up in New Downtown Store

Hoot, Hoot, Hoot … there’s a new owl in town. Elder Owl that is—the latest foodie’s dream to hit downtown Ellwood City. The store offers smoothies, Popping Boba Juice/Lemonade, Frappes, Acai Bowls, Granola Bowls (made with in house granola), Cinnamon Roasted Almonds/Pecans, Cotton Candy, Snacks, and scrumptious Paninis (fancy grilled cheese). “Aside from our all natural smoothies, we have Popping Boba which I believe nobody else in Ellwood has,“ said Owner Chakayla Hyland. “And there is much more coming soon. Expect to see soups on our fall menu!” Hyland said her business model and tasty offerings were a no brainer…


Business

Local Man Announces Plans for Brewpub in Former Walnut Ridge School

A local businessman has announced his plan to open a new brew pub and restaurant: The Time Brewpub. “I am looking to create a true family atmosphere in my facility with large seating capacity, food and drinks, TVs and entertainment, and tons of off-street parking,” said owner Tony Joseph. Joseph, who said this dream has been a 7-year journey in the making, plans to open his brew pub and restaurant in the former Walnut Ridge Elementary School with good friends Alan Andrews and Jason Skvarla, which is also the location of his fitness center It’s Time Fitness, Sign of the…


History Center Dinner to Feature Local Journalist

Marino Parascenzo has a bit of nostalgia for newspapers. He remembers his days as a “newspaper man” with great fondness. “There was never a day that I didn’t enjoy my job,” Parascenzo said. “Every day was exciting and interesting. There was never a dull moment, and each story had a life of its own.” His storytelling of pounding the pavement of Lawrence Avenue to find stories, to pop into businesses to see what’s new and newsworthy, and to collect police reports, takes you back in time when small town journalism was at its height. “I loved working with my friends…


Ellwood City Based T&M Hardware & Rental Honored With Beacon Award

T&M Hardware and Rental was one of 14 retailers honored with a Beacon Award during the Beacon Awards banquet held last week in Marco Island, Florida. The hardware store was presented with the 2020 Beacon Award, which is the industry’s equivalent of a life-time achievement award. “While Tim & Mary were the 2020 recipients, the award ceremony did not occur until this year once it was safe to gather and celebrate in-person with our industry,” said Samantha Post, daughter of Tim & Mary, when reached for comment. “We have been very blessed to be able to do business and call…


Northeast Candle Company Ready To Brighten Up Ellwood City

Let it burn. A new candle shop is open in Ellwood City. The Northeast Candle Co., which began in 2019 in the Northeastern section of Beaver County, Pennsylvania by Mark Miller, has opened a retail storefront on 5th Street just north of the train overpass. Mark is a teacher, coach, and business leader who champions education with practical job and career skills. He himself, a life long learner, graduated with degrees in psychology and business management from LaRoche University. Later he went on to complete his education degree at LaRoche. Since then, he completed his post-graduate work at The University…


Ellwood City Champion Returns to Basketball Court As Head Coach

Dena Noble has never been able to forget the feeling of being on a winning team. That adrenaline rush of hitting the basketball court is still a draw for Noble, who was recently named head coach of the Lincoln Girls Basketball Team. She wants to provide that feeling to a new generation of players. “I’m looking forward to getting the nostalgic feeling,” Noble said. “I love that feeling, that adrenaline rush especially on game day. I can’t wait to see the girls take what was taught to them and watch it play out.” Noble, the Ellwood native, is no stranger…


Carpenter’s Project Wraps Up Successful Week

Even with some few changes this year, the Carpenter’s Project did not disappoint families in the community who needed some help in their homes. “Even with less people this year, we were able to help out 14 families who needed help with safety issues in their homes,” said Steven Miller, Director of the Carpenter’s Project. “I’m very happy with success we had this year.” The Carpenter’s Project started 20 years ago when Chairperson Connie MacDonald noticed that people were getting cited for issues in their homes and didn’t have the means to fix them. Church members of Calvin Presbyterian and…


Q&A: Ellwood Native Author Coming To Town For Meet And Greet

Ellwood City native, Cassandra Douglas, has now published two children’s books in her Ellwood City Tales series and will be in town on Saturday, August 14th at 9:00 a.m, for a meet and greet at the Farmer’s Market and will be signing books. Extra copies of each of the books will be sold at the event and will be available for signing. Douglas, 26, has published “The Clock Tower Fairy” and “The Legend of the Panther and Wolverine” and will be making the series a trilogy with a third book in the works. Her independently published works are available online at notable…


New Recording Studio Now Open In Ellwood City

Mix, Equalize, Layer… MASTER! Music will reverberate in Ellwood City thanks to October Recording Studio. The studio has just opened its doors and consultations are now available to artists and bands of all musical levels. Rick Fleischer, who has played in multiple bands and has been playing music for 25 years now, and has toured the United States, Canada and Germany, has decided to open a recording studio to the community. “My band has always recorded music on our own so it seemed fitting that we create a space where not only we can record music, but other musicians from all…