South Hills Living - March/April 2026

March/April 2026

south hills living

Edible gardens growing in popularity, according to Master Gardeners

Taps, Axes and Games looking to foster community

$2

When should I consult an interior designer?

New pizzeria offers a taste of Brooklyn in Mt. Lebanon

4

Edible gardens growing in popularity, according to Master Gardens contents

6

Taps, Axes and Games looking to foster community

from the editor

8

When should I consult an interior designer for my home?

12 New pizzeria offers a taste of Brooklyn in Mt. Lebanon

Finding the discipline within

I was supposed to start a bootcamp-style challenge at a local gym with a personal trainer at the end of January, but the huge winter storm delayed it. Then, a water main break flooded the facility, and it’s closed indefinitely. I feel for any local business impacted by uncontrollable factors, but I have to admit that I also had a little pity party for myself. I had wrapped all this excitement and potential into this challenge. I bought the healthy food and laid out my workout clothes. I even set my alarm for 5:30 a.m. and scheduled my smart lights to turn on automatically. Anyone who knows me knows that I am NOT a morning person, and the early wakeup was actually harder than thinking about anything the personal trainer would have made me do.

Now, I’m trying to find the motivation and drive on my own, without the support and company of others. But I know that anything worthwhile takes some discomfort. You only get results if you put in the work.

I have a cousin who lives a state away who has a very stressful job, yet she finds the time to hit the gym daily and run marathons. I am in awe of her. And anytime anyone asks how she does it, she says she doesn’t rely on motivation, since that feeling is so fleeting and unreliable. Instead, she says she focuses on discipline. I keep thinking about that, the fact that she’s so busy, successful and committed, and here I am without those hurdles, struggling with my mind. I hope I can push through. I know I can push through. Mind over matter. It’s finding the joy in movement, doing the things that bring my body and mind peace.

Do you have any tips or suggestions? I’d really love to hear from you. How do you stay motivated to tackle tough things? Please let me know. Email me at tthurston@observer-reporter or call me at 724-222-2200 ext. 2421.

issuu.com/observer-reporter

Editor

TRISTA THURSTON

tthurston@observer-reporter.com

Advertising Director Carole DeAngelo

Contributors

Mike Albanese April Barbe

Kristin Emery

on the cover

TRI-STATE

Neuro ath Centers

Peripheral Neuropathy Sufferers

for close to 3 years and thought I would end up in a wheelchair for the rest of my life. I am 90% better and so happy I have my life back.”

Edible gardens growing in popularity, according to Master Gardeners

By April Barbe

Although Punxsutawaney Phil saw his shadow on Feb. 2 and predicted six more weeks of winter, many gardeners are already preparing for planting season, according to local experts.

According to Mandy L. Smith, extension educator and master gardener coordinator with Penn State, those hoping to plant an edible garden should check online to see how long the gardening season is in

“Pennsylvania home gardeners should check their USDA Plant Hardiness Zone and first and last frost dates at planthardiness.ars.usda.gov to determine the length of their gardening season,” Smith said. “When selecting seeds or plants, they should look at the ‘days to harvest’ to make sure that they have enough time to grow a particular plant.”

She said spring and fall are the best seasons to plant cole crops, including broccoli, kale, cauliflower, cabbage and Brussels sprouts. For warmer months, tomatoes and peppers are popular crops.

Smith said home gardeners can either start seeds indoors or buy plants ready to transplant after the last frost date.

One of the first things gardeners should do is determine what container size is needed. Smith said the plant's mature size determines this.

“Herbs like basil and rosemary can be grown in small containers, whereas tomatoes will need larger containers,” Smith said.

State Master Gardener Coordinator Erin Kinley said choosing the correct container means selecting one with proper drainage. She said water-logged soil makes it difficult for roots to breathe, so your container should have drainage holes at the bottom so excess water can flow out easily.

The type of material your pots are made

of also contributes to success.

“Plastic pots are lightweight and don't dry out as quickly as pots made from porous materials such as terracotta,” Kinley said. “However, heavier pots like those made from cement or stone can help prevent top-heavy plants such as tomatoes from blowing over in the wind.”

Other things to consider include potting mix, plant selection and how much water and type of fertilizer to use.

“To keep container vegetable gardens healthy and productive throughout the season, add a slow-release fertilizer at planting time and reapply a soluble fertilizer every two to four weeks,” Kinley said.

She added that most vegetable gardens will need to be watered at least once a day during the summer months. However, gardeners should be careful only to moisten the fertilizer and avoid waterlogging it.

For container gardens, choose dwarf or shorter varieties of vegetables often labeled as “bush” or “determinate” on seed packets, Kinley said.

Also, she said sweet corn, watermelon, winter squash and zucchini do not grow well in containers and should be grown only in the ground.

Smith said edible gardens are versatile and can be planted in raised beds or containers. She also said there is a technique called foodscraping that incorporates edible plants into traditional landscapes. It was made popular by garden author Brie Arthur.

According to Smith, the most popular things to plant in Pennsylvania for home gardeners are tomatoes. She attributes this to the wide variety of tomatoes, including beefsteak and cherry, plus a diversity of colors and flavors.

She added that since the pandemic, home vegetable gardening has increased.

Penn State Master Gardeners offer a popular, free course called Seed to Supper. Each course includes two-hour sessions typically held at the same time each week for six to nine consecutive weeks. Course topics include vegetable gardening fundamentals: soil preparation, garden planning, planting, maintenance and harvest. For more information on the course, visit extension.psu. edu/programs/master-gardener/outreach/seed-to-supper-program.

“Growing edible gardens at home can be cost-effective and a great way to experiment with new vegetables, plus when you have a bountiful crop, you can share it with others,” Smith said.

For gardeners with questions, the Master Gardeners have a hotline available at extension.psu.edu/programs/master-gardener/outreach/garden-hotline.

Smith said the Master Gardeners enjoy helping new and veteran gardeners by sharing information about how to make their garden a success. They also have a webinar series called “Victory Garden Reinvented” that helps first-time vegetable gardeners.

Home gardeners can learn more about the Master Gardener program from their local Extension office or visit extension.psu.edu/programs/master-gardener/join.

Taps, Axes and Games looking to foster community

By Mike Albanese

courtesy of Taps, Axes and Games

The idea for Pittsburgh's Taps, Axes and Games came from owner Timothy Stivers traveling to axe-throwing shows across the U.S. and even to the United Kingdom.

"We saw how diverse the community was and wanted to make sure Pittsburgh had a location to call home, once again," he said. "The axe-throwing community can be described as possibly the land of misfit toys with the heart of gold."

And Stivers is looking to build that community in Pittsburgh after opening Taps, Axes and Games in December 2024.

He said he has been searching for a venue since

the COVID-19 pandemic. However, after one of the original axe-throwing venues closed in December 2023, many league members discussed teaming up to open a new venue.

"After a week or two, the conversation went from friendly what-ifs to 'hey, let's really do it,'" he said.

Opening on Dec. 11, 2024, the location offers more than just axe throwing. People can enjoy darts, board games, cornhole and even popular games such as Dungeons and Dragons and Magic: The Gathering. Stivers added that Abjuration Brewing will soon be running the taproom.

"Our vision is come for the axe throwing, games and craft beer, stay for the community," he said.

The idea of community is vital to Stivers, who says

he wants to focus on supporting other local businesses and building partnerships through events.

He said on Jan. 24, TAG hosted a fundraiser event for Animal Friends, with a portion of its proceeds donated. In February, they hosted a flash event from 6 Feet Deep Tattoo and Piercings.

Stivers added they partnered with local artists Adeline Kubicsek — also the No. 1 female axe thrower in the world — and Katey Bedford to paint murals and art at the facility.

"We are looking to give back and celebrate our differences and community within our space," he said.

Moving forward, Stivers said they are looking forward to the expansion of Abjuration's taproom and have more events in the works, including axe leagues, darts leagues and food truck nights.

When should I consult an interior designer for my home?

By Kristin Emery

Have you ever watched a home design television show with a dramatic before-and-after reveal and wished you could have an interior designer transform your home? That may seem out of reach for the average homeowner, but the truth is, there are many ways an interior designer can help. We spoke with three local South Hills designers who offer different levels of service to find out what inspires them, what they really do and how they can help you with your next home project.

Seashal Belldina, Interiors By

Seashal

Interiors By Seashal is a full-service interior design studio for clients who want their home finished with thoughtful design but without having to manage every detail themselves. "Whether they're renovating, they have a new build or they're refurnishing their home, there are a lot of decisions to make," says Seashal Belldina, who started her interior design business six years ago. "They hire us to create a cohesive space so that they don't make costly mistakes." Belldina worked in advertising and was a vice president on the West Coast before she and her husband moved to the South Hills to raise their kids near her husband's family. "I had the opportunity to change careers and reinvent myself, so I went back to school and got certified," says Belldina. Recently, she was AD Pro Approved by Architectural Digest, making her one of only 16 in the state of Pennsylvania. Belldina admits full-service interior design is not within every homeowner's budget. "You have to have a certain amount of investment for that. It isn't something that everybody can afford to do with their project," she says. "But, at the same time, it does save you from making costly mistakes."

For full-service designs, Interiors By Seashal handles every detail from concept to final installation. When it comes to incorporating what a client already has, some things may stay while others go. "Say you have a chair you want to keep," says Belldina. "You have a conversation about if you're investing this much money and completely refurnishing this whole room, maybe we should donate that chair to charity and find a new chair that completes the design." Belldina enjoys getting to know her clients, so she creates the right design from the start. "We have a lot of conversations in that kickoff phase to help me nail what colors they like, the functionality of their space, what their needs are, what their tastes are, even when they don't know."

Megan Elaine, Megan Elaine Interiors

Megan Elaine got into design by accident, having graduated from college with a biology degree, but took her first immediate job in retail to pay back student loans. She learned furniture and decor by working for companies like Pier 1, Pottery Barn and Levin Furniture before starting her own design business in 2020. "I began refinishing my own furniture and creating mood (vision) boards so that people could get a sense of what individual pieces would look like in their homes," Elaine says. While she opened a brick-and-mortar store, The Canonsburg Collective, last year, much of her design work is done virtually. "Anyone and everyone can benefit from this business," she says. "A lot of times it doesn’t come down to just furniture or decor — it comes down to the functionality of the space. Sometimes people have a hard time envisioning how it could work for them." Elaine works with homeowners in all stages of renovation or building by creating design vision boards. "I start with asking the big questions: What space are you looking to facelift? What are your preferred colors? Give me an example of a room that inspires you," Elaine says in describing her process. "From there, I will create a moodboard full of furniture, decor, rugs and lighting to see if I’ve captured their vision, or if we need to go back to the drawing board." If a client prefers, she will oversee the shopping, ordering and delivery process with retailers. "I will place the order for the client and work directly with the store to make sure everything is being ordered and delivered for the client correctly," Elaine says. Elaine admits the common perception that interior design can be expensive, but says it all depends on the level of service. "Is this designer making house calls to do all the measuring, taking hours to floorplan and making all the calls to hire contractors, schedul ing the installs from flooring to cabinets? Or, are you just needing a little nudge and inspira tion? For me, that’s where it is. If you’re willing to work with family and friends to help lift and move things, and also research which companies will do measuring and installs for a low fee or for free, you just need a vision, and that’s what I do."

Dana Mackey, Babb & Mack Design Co.

Babb & Mack Design Company has a bit of an unconventional story. Co-founders and principal designers Andrea Babb and Dana Mackey are aunt and niece and are only separated by seven years of age. Andrea has a degree in interior architecture from Ohio University, while Dana was a teacher before moving into interior design. The two began working together in 2019, drawing inspiration from the historic character of homes in the Pittsburgh area. "We believe great design starts with listening, so we take the time to understand how our clients live, what matters to them and how their home can best support that," says Dana Mackey. She says everyone deserves good design and that working with a designer doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing experience. "Our services are intentionally structured to meet clients at different stages of their projects and with varying levels of support," says Mackey. "Good design is powerful! While some people reach out when they feel uncertain about where to begin, others contact us when they’re ready for their home to feel truly complete." They offer everything from design consultation for homeowners managing their own renovation to full-service design, where they manage every detail from concept to installation.

How do interior designers know what a client will like? "While we listen and design to our clients' preferences, we also recognize that we are the professionals and work to provide recommendations that homeowners may not have considered or may not have been open to initially," Mackey says. "Our internal design motto is, 'Give them what they never knew they wanted!'" While Mackey admits interior design is no doubt a luxury service, she says her team seeks to create meaningful, oneof-a-kind spaces that are unique to clients and their homes. "That said, we also believe good design should feel approachable," Mackey adds. "For clients who want professional guidance without a full-scale commitment, our services offer an accessible way to work with us. We’re always transparent about scope, process and investment, and we want people to feel comfortable reaching out — even if they’re just exploring options."

For more information, contact Kendra Scalzi kscalzi@belocal.net

Kids Fest March 21

Pa. Trolley Museum

Greater Pittsburgh Food Truck Festival

May 22, 23 & 24

Hollywood Casino at the Meadows

Summer Concert Series

June 14 & August 1

Downtown Washington Community Pavilion

Founding Day June 27

Downtown Uniontown

Corks & Kegs

August 28, 29 & 30

Hollywood Casino at the Meadows

Farm To Fork September 12

Thistlethwaite Vineyards

All For Her October TBD Washington

Best of the Best November 19

Hilton Garden Inn Southpointe

Holiday Market December 12

Downtown Washington Community Pavilion

New pizzeria offers a taste of Brooklyn in Mt. Lebanon

By April Barbe

Most folks will agree that there’s nothing better than a good, cheesy pizza with your favorite meats and/ or veggies on top.

Frank Castronovo and Frank Falcinelli opened F&F Pizzeria in October 2025, and they said they have felt very welcomed. Their business partner, Anthony Simasek, said they enjoy being part of urban neighborhoods where it’s easy to stroll, and Mt. Lebanon provided just that for the restaurant owners.

“It has definitely been a warm welcome! Every day, we see new faces and more and more familiar ones. We are just as excited to be part of the Mt. Lebanon community as they have been to have us,” Simasek said.

Founded in 2019 by Brooklyn chefs Castronovo and Falcinelli, F&F Pizzeria’s nostalgic pies were inspired by pizzas the men ate as kids … with a little something extra, the website states.

That something extra has made folks travel far and wide for a slice and made their classic pepperoni and clam pies infamous.

F&F Pizzeria brings “simple, fresh ingredients” to the table of those who pop by for a slice.

“We love our dough, which is naturally fermented, but it's got to have a char,” Simasek said.

Homemade pizzas on the menu include tomato, mushroom, clam, Salumeria Biellese pepperoni and more.

But pizza isn’t all this place has to offer, Simasek said.

He added that he always recommends customers try an arancini or two, a fresh salad, pork cavatelli or beef brasato.

The menu also offers Brussels sprouts, beets with dates, pistachios and balsamic, roasted peppers and burrata, vodka rigatoni stracciatella and other specialties.

But if it’s pizza pie you want, he said, you can't miss the Partanna or clam pies. The Partanna pizza is a Sicilian-inspired pizza featuring red onion, chili and honey.

“Our pizza might be what everyone comes in for, but you really should try a little of everything. The left-hand side of our menu is filled with favorites that we've been perfecting in Brooklyn,” Simasek said.

He also said to watch for seasonal items coming soon.

The pizzeria’s brand was born in Brooklyn and includes Frankies 457 Spuntino in Brooklyn and Nashville.

The Mt. Lebanon location employs 60 people, and Simasek said they are still hiring.

“We bring the best ingredients and our love for true neighborhood gathering places in everything we do,” Simasek said. According to pizzaneed.com, about 3 billion pizzas are sold worldwide each year. The website also noted that 94% of Americans eat pizza regularly — 100 acres of pizza daily, or about 350 slices per second.

The first pizza place in America was Lombardi’s in New York City. Originally a grocery store, Lombardi’s started selling pizza in 1905, the website said.

There are now almost 61,300 pizzerias in the U.S., and 36% of all pizza orders are pepperoni.

According to F&F Pizzeria’s website, the company plans to open a location in Manhattan soon. But for now, they are enjoying getting to know the folks at the newest location in Mt. Lebanon.

“Mt. Lebanon had the perfect blend of walkability and charm that made us feel at home from the start,” Simasek said.

For more on F&F Pizzeria, visit fnfpizzeria.com.

Richard Bortz Jr. Owner

249 E. Roy Furman Hwy. Waynesburg, PA

724.627.6171 bortzchevy.com

BUDD BAER GMC BUICK

Mark Baer, Owner 83 Murtland Avenue Washington, PA

724-249-6047

3344 Washington Road McMurray, PA

724.941.3000 southhillsauto.com

SOUTH HILLS TOYOTA

2403 Washington Road Rt. 19 Cannonsburg, PA

724.743.1144 southhillstoyota.com

TREGEMBO MOTORS

PRE-OWNED VEHICLES

Barry Tregembo, Owner 1-70, Exit 32B Bentleyville, PA

724.239.2200 tregembomotors.com

WASHINGTON HONDA

Rt. 19 Strabane Square Washington, PA

724.222.2213 washingtonpahonda.com

BUDD BAER MAZDA

Mark Baer, Owner 83 Murtland Avenue Washington, PA 724-993-4430

3073 Washington Pike Bridgeville, PA 15017

412-564-9829 colussy.com

3644 Washington Road McMurray, PA

724.942.3000 southhillsauto.com

STAR LAKE FORD 1212 Main Street Burgettstown, PA

724.947.3381 starlakeford.com

WARNE MOTORS

PRE-OWNED VEHICLES

John Warne, Owner 100 East Pike Street, Cannonsburg, PA

724.745.5956 johnwarnemotors.com

WASHINGTON HYUNDAI

Rt. 19 Strabane Square Washington, PA

724.222.2213 washingtonpahyundai.com

BUDD BAER SUBARU

Mark Baer, Owner 71 Murtland Avenue Washington, PA

724-914-6670

OLIVERIO AUTO

1110 Laurel Hill Road McDonald, PA

724-926-2155 oliverioauto.com

SOUTH HILLS LINCOLN

Jeff Innes, New Car Manager Route 19, McMurray, PA

724.941.1600 southhillslincoln.net

THREE RIVERS VOLKSWAGEN

John Bauer, General Manager 3694 Washington Road McMurray PA

724.941.6100 3riversvw.com

WASHINGTON CHEVROLET

Intersection of Rt. 19, I-79,& I-70 Exit 19A Washington, PA

724.222.2800 washingtonchevy.com

2504

The SpringHouse Creamery, Eatery, Country Store, and Catering opened in 1975 on the Minor family’s dairy working farm in Eighty Four. In our oldfashioned country store, you can enjoy familyrecipe meals, goodies in our from-scratch bakery, a smokehouse for old-fashioned hickory smoked hams, classy catering, ice cream concoctions galore and, or course, fresh farm milk and famous rich chocolate milk. 1531 Route 136 Washington, PA 15301 724.228.3339 springhousemarket.com

A Pittsburgh family tradition since 1958. Our dough is homemade from scratch, our sauce is slow cooked from Italian tomatoes, our signature cheeses are hand grated daily... just as John Mineo did in 1958. We believe in never changing a great family recipe. Three locations in Mt. Lebanon, Squirrel Hill, and Allison Park. Airport location is opening soon!

Enjoy great facilities

• Temperature-controlled indoor 25-yard lap pool

• Interactive cardio equipment including Precor and Peleton

• Fitness rooms with upgraded functional fitness including Cybex, Rogue and Nautilus

• Full court gymnasium

• Dedicated dance studio

You’ll love our huge variety of group exercise classes and programs:

From DEKA functional fitness to group exercise, aquatic fitness classes and SilverSneakers, we offer so many ways to keep you moving!

PLUS: Personal training, pickleball, basketball and AgeWell at the JCC South Hills activities including lunches, mah jong and so much more

CLOSER THAN EVER

NOW IN WASHINGTON

For generations, UPMC Magee-Womens has been a leader in women's health, providing advanced care, innovative research, and compassionate support at every stage of life. Now, women in Washington County can access the same trusted care and world-class expertise close to home.