In The News
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
by Pamela Starr
Saturday, March 10, 2007
by Pamela Starr
Saturday, March 10, 2007
Disney fanatic treats kids to Neverland room
Like Disney's Peter Pan, WPXI-TV sportscaster John Fedko never wants to grow up.
That's why he built a special playroom in his French provincial house in Hampton for his five children. The playroom has everything a child could want: a computer center, a table to do homework or eat, an abundance of toys and games and a large-screen television with oodles of DVDs. The playroom also has everything a parent could need: a surveillance camera so the kids can be watched at all times from a screen in the kitchen, floor-to-ceiling cabinets for storage and built-in storage closets for all the toys and games. Fedko, 46, the sports anchor for the 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. newscasts Monday-Friday, says that he and the builder, George "Red" Handyside designed the 2,000-square-foot addition. It also includes three bedrooms, two baths, a two-car garage and space underneath the garage for a 23-seat home theater. "The theme is you never grow up," says Fedko, who is married to Tina, 42. "We want our kids to always have that sense of wonder because I'm one big kid at heart." Kaley, 11; Christian, 8; Kyler, 7; Katherine, 5, and Colby, 4, adore their new Peter Pan-themed playroom. A 7-foot-by-7-foot billboard of a 1969 release of "Peter Pan" sits on the back wall, visible from the street. Custom-made Peter Pan blinds cover the windows. A "Return to Neverland" poster hangs above the entrance to the playroom. Disney photos abound in the playroom and around the entire 6,000-square-foot home. "We're Disney fanatics," admits Fedko, who takes the family to Disney World or Disneyland four times a year. "They love us there. I took Katherine to Disneyland by myself last year. I try to do that with every child"get them their own special trip." Kaley says that none of her friends have playrooms in their houses -- at least not like hers. The four oldest children attend St. Mary's in Glenshaw, while Colby is in preschool. "I think it's really cool with the whole Peter Pan theme," she says. "I do my homework up here." Christian, playing on the computer, says he loves the playroom. "It's my favorite room in the house," he says. And Katherine, whose favorite Disney princess is Cinderella, says that she spends a lot of time in the playroom. "I think it's really fun." The addition took 18 months to complete. Handyside, 71, a Hampton contractor who has since retired, says that it was a big project. The playroom is 20 feet high. Fedko wanted it that high so the Peter Pan billboard would fit. "It was unique -- we had a lot of work to do," Handyside says. "It took a little bit of time. We made the ceiling as high as we could. "The brick company took bricks back three times because they didn't match the existing (exterior) bricks," he adds. "The subcontractor had to hand-pick every brick." Damon Ryniec, owner of Wood 'n It Studios in Sarver, Butler County, constructed the floor-to-ceilings cabinets and window seat. It took two weeks from construction of the cabinets to installation, he says. "I need to take pictures -- it will definitely be a good portfolio for that one," he says with a laugh. "They wanted the Pottery Barn-style open cabinets. That's what we do. I loved the big, wide open spaces because we know we can do a lot with that kind of room." Fedko says that the driving force behind the addition, which was completed early last year, was the fact that he and Tina wanted a special place for the family to be together. Builders don't build playrooms, Fedko says. Most people turn a bedroom or a basement into a playroom. Theirs was designed as a playroom. The addition cost around $200,000, but it was well worth it, he says. "They do their homework up here, play here, even sleep here," he says. "We figured that this room gives them the ability to use their imagination. I love having a playroom upstairs. We know where they are at all times. It's better than having one in the basement." Tina Fedko, a trim, energetic stay-at-home mom, says she likes being able to monitor the children from the kitchen. There's also a surveillance camera in the driveway. "I really, really love the playroom," she says. "But now we need a remote control with a two-way intercom system. I'm always yelling at them up the stairs." John Fedko, who also hosts "The Fedko Fone Zone" on PCNC weeknights at 11:30 p.m., smiles. "I don't know if I could live in a house without a playroom again," he says. "We're all together as a family. This really keeps us together." |
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
by Brigid Beatty
Thursday, March 8, 2011
by Brigid Beatty
Thursday, March 8, 2011
Penguins' items to benefit Kittanning fundraiser
KITTANNING — Robert Joseph wants people to take a chance and help out for a cause.
Joseph, who is a state trooper, has been keeping busy outside of work figuring out ways to help raise money for two different causes within the community.
So he came up with the idea of a small game of chance — a raffle — to benefit Kittanning Hose Co. 1 in its efforts to pay for a fire truck. He also wants to help raise much-needed funds for his daughter's swim team at Kittanning High School.
"We just formed our booster club," said Joseph, adding that he also would also like to see Hose Co. 1 keep its truck.
Since the school does not have a pool, the swim team needs to pay for a practice bus to travel to Burrell High School, said Joseph. And since the members of Hose Co.1 are attempting to buy the aerial fire truck from the borough, Joseph said he thought it would be a good partnership. Proceeds from the raffle will be split between the two groups, he said.
The raffle prizes will be of particular interest to fans of the Penguins. The prizes include Penguins tickets, jerseys, hats, souvenirs and one-of-a-kind artwork.
"If you're a Penguins' fan, you're going to love it," said Joseph.
The grand prize raffle winner can choose from one of the two unique murals painted on authenticated stainless steel taken from the Civic Arena roof. Each 2-by-3 steel piece was donated by Noralco Corp and is framed in a handmade wooden frame from Wood 'N It Studios Inc., Sarver. The other mural will be auctioned or raffled off at a later date, said Joseph.
Kittanning High School art teacher, Robin Lemmon, and Kittanning High School senior student Victor Carlesi have each put in countless hours creating the one-of-a-kind murals.
"The biggest part was deciding what to put on it," said Lemmon.
She worked meticulously with acrylic and chalk, rendering the likenesses of Sidney Crosby, Marc-Andre Fleury, James Neal, Kris Letang, Evgeni Malkin and Mario Lemieux — all against a Pittsburgh city backdrop.
Carlesi, who will attend the college of Arts and Architecture at Penn State University's main campus in the fall, focused his artistic skill on bringing to life some of the celebrated events which took place at the Civic Arena.
He remembered going to see a circus and a monster truck show there, so he included some of those elements in the mural. He also captured events that predated his birth, featuring such performers as Elvis and the Jackson 5.
There are a total of 3,000 tickets which need to be sold, said Joseph. But he has had some help selling tickets. His daughter Morgan, a 10th-grader and swim team member, has been pitching in. So has Morgan's sister, Jenna, a seventh- grade student at Kittanning Junior High School.
Local businesses also have stepped up to help sell the $5 tickets for the raffle drawing which will be held on March 31. Joseph created the online site at www.showclix.com/event/222949 to enable people to purchase tickets that way.
Tickets can be purchased through Kittanning Hose Co. 1 and at the Belmont Complex; Jordan's Soft Serve, Kittanning; Highland Dry Cleaners, Kittanning; Taylor's Auto Repair, Ford City; Mike's Towing, Ford City; Stitt's Auto Sales,
Ford City; First Commonwealth Bank, Leechburg.
Additional Information:
About the raffle: Drawing March 31 to Benefit Kittanning Hose Co. 1 and the Kittanning High School Swim Team:
Grand Prize
1. One-of-a-kind 2 by 3 Penguins hand-painted mural on authenticated stainless steel, taken from the Civic Arena roof, donated by Noralco Corp and framed in a handmade wooden frame from Wood 'N It Studios Inc., Sarver.
2. A pair of tickets to an April 5 Penguins' game donated by Noralco Corp.
3. Two authentic Penguins' jerseys.
4. Two Penguins' hats.
Runner-up
1. A pair of tickets to an April 5 Penguins game donated by Daloisio Agency of Kittanning.
2. A 2011 Winter Classic Game (used glass) Pittsburgh Penguins souvenir.
3. One authentic Pittsburgh Steelers jersey.
Joseph, who is a state trooper, has been keeping busy outside of work figuring out ways to help raise money for two different causes within the community.
So he came up with the idea of a small game of chance — a raffle — to benefit Kittanning Hose Co. 1 in its efforts to pay for a fire truck. He also wants to help raise much-needed funds for his daughter's swim team at Kittanning High School.
"We just formed our booster club," said Joseph, adding that he also would also like to see Hose Co. 1 keep its truck.
Since the school does not have a pool, the swim team needs to pay for a practice bus to travel to Burrell High School, said Joseph. And since the members of Hose Co.1 are attempting to buy the aerial fire truck from the borough, Joseph said he thought it would be a good partnership. Proceeds from the raffle will be split between the two groups, he said.
The raffle prizes will be of particular interest to fans of the Penguins. The prizes include Penguins tickets, jerseys, hats, souvenirs and one-of-a-kind artwork.
"If you're a Penguins' fan, you're going to love it," said Joseph.
The grand prize raffle winner can choose from one of the two unique murals painted on authenticated stainless steel taken from the Civic Arena roof. Each 2-by-3 steel piece was donated by Noralco Corp and is framed in a handmade wooden frame from Wood 'N It Studios Inc., Sarver. The other mural will be auctioned or raffled off at a later date, said Joseph.
Kittanning High School art teacher, Robin Lemmon, and Kittanning High School senior student Victor Carlesi have each put in countless hours creating the one-of-a-kind murals.
"The biggest part was deciding what to put on it," said Lemmon.
She worked meticulously with acrylic and chalk, rendering the likenesses of Sidney Crosby, Marc-Andre Fleury, James Neal, Kris Letang, Evgeni Malkin and Mario Lemieux — all against a Pittsburgh city backdrop.
Carlesi, who will attend the college of Arts and Architecture at Penn State University's main campus in the fall, focused his artistic skill on bringing to life some of the celebrated events which took place at the Civic Arena.
He remembered going to see a circus and a monster truck show there, so he included some of those elements in the mural. He also captured events that predated his birth, featuring such performers as Elvis and the Jackson 5.
There are a total of 3,000 tickets which need to be sold, said Joseph. But he has had some help selling tickets. His daughter Morgan, a 10th-grader and swim team member, has been pitching in. So has Morgan's sister, Jenna, a seventh- grade student at Kittanning Junior High School.
Local businesses also have stepped up to help sell the $5 tickets for the raffle drawing which will be held on March 31. Joseph created the online site at www.showclix.com/event/222949 to enable people to purchase tickets that way.
Tickets can be purchased through Kittanning Hose Co. 1 and at the Belmont Complex; Jordan's Soft Serve, Kittanning; Highland Dry Cleaners, Kittanning; Taylor's Auto Repair, Ford City; Mike's Towing, Ford City; Stitt's Auto Sales,
Ford City; First Commonwealth Bank, Leechburg.
Additional Information:
About the raffle: Drawing March 31 to Benefit Kittanning Hose Co. 1 and the Kittanning High School Swim Team:
Grand Prize
1. One-of-a-kind 2 by 3 Penguins hand-painted mural on authenticated stainless steel, taken from the Civic Arena roof, donated by Noralco Corp and framed in a handmade wooden frame from Wood 'N It Studios Inc., Sarver.
2. A pair of tickets to an April 5 Penguins' game donated by Noralco Corp.
3. Two authentic Penguins' jerseys.
4. Two Penguins' hats.
Runner-up
1. A pair of tickets to an April 5 Penguins game donated by Daloisio Agency of Kittanning.
2. A 2011 Winter Classic Game (used glass) Pittsburgh Penguins souvenir.
3. One authentic Pittsburgh Steelers jersey.