'Deck The House' Winner Is Announced for Patch Holiday Decor Contest

Family in Davis, CA, wins the $100,000 grand prize for its school district.

A California family won Patch's Deck the House contest and netted $100,000 in prize money for Davis Joint Unified School District. “We all won,” said homeowner Kristy Powell, who designed and created much of the decorations. “There are a lot of needs at the schools. This is not going to fix it all, but it will help. This is a blessing.” Powell entered her home in Patch's national Deck the House contest during the holidays and was selected as one of the top 24 finalists in late December. The Powells' home in California jumped out to a massive lead the moment voting opened up, thanks to support from Davis Enterprise and constant effort by the community, online and on the streets. Powell even had her children and some of their friends hand …

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Ringing in the New Year - Polar Bear Style

Participants are 'Freezin' for a Reason' to support the Zelienople-Harmony Park on New Year's Day.

As she emerged shivering from the Connoquenessing Creek, Dominique French could jokingly be heard shouting maybe she had made the wrong choice. “It was so freezing,” she said later while bundled up in a towel. The Portersville resident was one of 75 people who took a dip in the creek on New Year’s Day as part of the Friends of the Zelienople-Harmony Park’s first Polar Bear Plunge. Dubbed “Freezin’ for a Reason,” the plunge benefits community projects for the park in Zelienople. The Harmony Inn, Subway and the Fox’s Pizza Den in Zelienople also sponsored the event. As for French, she said she let herself be talked into the plunge by her dad, Gabe French, who runs the open mic night at the Harmony Inn. Also bundled in the towel, the elder …

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The Editor's Notepad

What’s Your New Year’s Resolution

Share your declarations for the New Year with Cranberry Patch readers.

Well, 2012 is here. It’s time to cast off last year’s highs and lows and start fresh. With that in mind, what are your New Year’s resolutions? As always, after a month of glutinous eating around the holidays, my vow at this time of year is to eat healthier and exercise more. I think that resolution lasted for about a month in 2011. OK, maybe it was more like two weeks. I’m sure there are far more interesting resolutions out there, and we’d like you to share them. Leave your vows for 2012 in the comment section below. While you’re at it, feel free to comment on your hopes for the New Year. What are you most excited about? Thanks for a great 2011, Cranberry Patch readers. We look forward to meeting more of you in 2012.

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Ring in 2012 with Highmark First Night

This event in downtown Pittsburgh promises a lot of activities, events and fun for those who attend.

Pittsburghers can ring in the new year with tons to do at Highmark's First Night Pittsburgh event. The event begins at 6 p.m. on Saturday with several activities being held throughout downtown Pittsburgh. First Night is a unique, family-friendly New Year’s Eve celebration focused on the arts. Held in more than 200 cities worldwide, the Pittsburgh festival is centered in the Cultural District and is a production of The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust. First Night Pittsburgh has something for everyone, from children’s activities and performances by nationally known musicians, to installations by local artists and a spectacular fireworks finale. Visitors can enjoy swing dancing, juggling, arts and crafts, ice carving, a magic show, the First Night …

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Counting Down Cranberry: The Top 10 Stories of The Year

Cranberry Patch takes a look at the stories that defined the community in 2011.

With 2011 winding down, people love to make lists of the year’s notable happening. Cranberry Patch is no different. Here’s a look at the some of the area’s biggest stories of the year. Of course, we also want to hear from you. What, in your opinion, are some of the year's biggest stories? Leave your thoughts in the comment section below.  10.  Road Construction It seemed there were countless construction updates on Cranberry Patch as PennDOT continued a bridge rehabilitation project on Interstate 79. The work led to single-lane restrictions throughout 2011. The Seneca Valley School District also was delighted when PennDOT opened the long-awaited Seneca Ramps leading from Interstate 79 to the campus. The $18 million project upgraded two …

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Jessica Sinichak

3:18 pm on Friday, December 30, 2011

Very true, Jan! I'll add that in.   more ›

Day Tripper

Want to Take a Day Trip this New Year? Here are 10 Places to Visit

Patch columnist Kathleeen Sauers spent 2011 traveling close to home. Here are 10 ideas for trips to take this year that are only a short drive away.

1. McConnells Mill State Park is Great for Hiking, White-Water Rafting McConnells Mill State Park is only about an hour north of here and is a great place to spend a day hiking, rock climbing, white-water rafting, having a picnic or just simply relaxing and enjoying nature. 'The World's Coolest Toy Store' is also a quick drive from the park. 2. Amish Cheeses, Wineries and More in Indiana County Indiana County is home to nearly 300 Old Order Amish families — and their food and crafts. 3. One of the Best Places to Star Gaze is a Short Drive from Pittsburgh Cherry Springs State Park's relatively remote location on top of a 2,300-foot high mountain and surrounding undeveloped state forest lands mean it has incredibly dark skies. In particular…

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Recycling Your Christmas is Easy in Cranberry

The township will collect discarded Christmas trees in January.

With Christmas come and gone for another year, Cranberry is making it easy for residents to erase signs of the holiday in a clean, green way. Christmas trees will be picked up as part of the township’s yard waste collection service from Jan. 9 through Jan. 16. Stickers are not required for trees during this two-week period, and it is not necessary to bag the tree. Residents are reminded to remove all ornaments, tinsel and lights. If a tree is taller than 6 feet, cut the boughs into smaller lengths. When placing a tree at the curb, residents are asked to make sure it will not blow into the street. Artificial trees will not be accepted. Empty gift boxes may be taken to the compactor behind the Cranberry Township Municipal Center on Rochester…

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Pittsburgh Area Malls' Hours Through New Year's Day

Some malls have special hours to accommodate returns and sales.

To accommodate seasonal sales and the returns of items purchased, many Pittsburgh area shopping malls with have special hours of operation for the week following Christmas, while some malls will simply revert back to their normal schedules. See below for a list of area malls and their hours from Dec. 26 through Jan. 1. Also, see if those malls will keep their children's ride-along trains up after Christmas. All restaurant hours may vary.

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