Valentine's Day Spurs Sales for Moon Chocolatiers

Trello Cioccolato offers up Valentine's Day confections with a Pittsburgh twist.

For Valentine's Day, there's no better gift than chocolate, said Moon Township-based chocolatier Pat Trello.  Trello and his family seven years ago launched Trello Cioccolato, a business that sells confections from both its website and Beaver Grade Road store.  He said the business, which frequently ships candy to customers across the country, sees an uptick in sales during the Valentine's season.  "It's really Christmas, Easter, Valentine's Day and Mother's Day," said Trello of the holidays that woo would-be gift buyers into purchasing chocolate.  Chocolate roses, lips, dipped strawberries and a one-pound, heart-shapped hunk of chocolate are all included in the store's Valentine's inventory, Trello said.  "Well, I think women love …

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What is Kwanzaa? How is This Heritage and Culture Festival Celebrated?

Kwanzaa is observed in the United States from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1.

  The seven-day festival of Kwanzaa, which celebrates African-American heritage and culture, starts today and ends Tuesday, Jan. 1. Here are some facts about the week-long holiday. Tell Us: Do you have any facts about Kwanzaa or Kwanzaa-related events that you would like to share? Please write them in the comments section below. This list was compiled with information from City News Service.   ---  Sign up here for the Robinson-Moon Patch email newsletter. 

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Rockin' the Suburbs

Robinson: How About a Little 'Generosity of Spirit?'

Columnist Gab Bonesso is just looking for a little good will this holiday season and, well, maybe a mini iPad too.

One of the most famous, over-quoted lines in motion picture history is from the 1992 Penny Marshall film A League of Their Own. The quote goes as follows: “Are you crying? There’s no crying in baseball.” One character declares something to be true, whether it is or not, because it’s humorous. Comedy always trumps fact. There is no such rule. The umps would have to throw fans out of the game who get misty eyed while singing “Take Me Out To The Ballgame.”   I bring up this quote today because I feel like I want to walk into the Robinson Township Market District Giant Eagle and scream something similar to the customers of the store:  “Are you being mean? There is no mean in Christmas!” Christmas used to bring out the best in people. As a kid …

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Enter Patch's 'Deck the House' Contest For a Chance to Win $100,000

Did you decorate your house for the holidays this year? Enter our "Deck the House" contest and you could win $100,000 for your local school district and $500 to pay your electric bills!

Does your house boast the best Christmas light show in Robinson and Moon? We want you to show off your holiday display.  We’re launching our annual Deck the House Contest to find the most over-the-top holiday decorations in America—the best “decked” house in the country—the one home so spectacularly decorated that everyone in town jokes your holiday decorations could rival Rockefeller Center’s. If this sounds like your house, upload a photo or video of your home to our contest page from Nov. 26 to Dec. 16. Go to this link to enter and find out more info: deckthehouse.patch.com/contest/moon. One important note: Only residents of Patch towns—in this case Robinson and Moon Township residents—are eligible.  We’ll select 24 regional finalists, …

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Musical Homecoming: Moon Grads Take to Stage for Alumni Concert

Graduates from decades past will again take the stage at Moon Area High School, reprising the roles they performed as students.

They'll be taking the stage singing show tunes ranging from "Over the Rainbow" to "It's Raining on Prom Night."  Dozens of Moon Area School District alums from years and decades past will take the stage on Saturday for a Christmas season alumni showcase.  Moon Area English teacher Nichole Wilson, a 2004 graduate of the district, said alumni from as far back as 1979 will perform at the event.  "It will be a variety of alumni performing songs from musicals that they were in as students," Wilson said. "There will be different pieces, there are duos performing, a trio performing."  Deborah Kennedy, former director of the districts musicals, will lead the production, Wilson said.  For many graduates, the show will serve as their first time in …

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Rockin' the Suburbs

Tis the Season: Yuletide Hunting in Robinson Township

Growing up in Robinson Township has caused columnist Gab Bonesso to associate gunshots with the holiday season.

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire, Bing Crosby crooning in the distance, and jingle bells are all sounds that evoke the Christmas holiday. But if you are a resident of Western Pennsylvania, you need to add the sound of a shotgun to that list. BOOM! Ho, ho, ho … I hear hunters so it must mean that Christmas is around the corner! For as long as I can remember hunting season joins forces with the holiday season here in Robinson Township. I remember as a kid I would ask my mom why we always had the Monday after Thanksgiving off from school and she would simply answer, “it’s hunting season.” I’m not a total hunting novice. I’ve done my Warner Brothers research. I knew that hunting season generally involved a spastic duck named Daffy and a …

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Rockin' the Suburbs

I Ate Too Much, But Don't Blame Me

Columnist Gab Bonesso ate way too much food on Thanksgiving, but in her defense, it was not her fault!

It’s not my fault that I was guilty of overeating on Thanksgiving. I partially blame the aroma of my mother’s stuffing. Stupid aroma. But would you like to know who’s really to blame? Jillian Michaels, coach from NBC’s The Biggest Loser. I saw Jillian being interviewed during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade. Al Roker asked her what Americans could do to eat healthy this holiday her answer was, “Enjoy yourself! Eat what you want. Work out tomorrow!” Huh? A weight-loss coach is telling the entire country to totally pig out on Thanksgiving just as long as they work out the next day? Deal! So I ate. Then I ate some more. Then I realized dinner wasn’t even served yet. So I rested for approximately ten minutes and then resumed shoving food in my …

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Veterans Day: What's Open and What's Closed in Moon, Robinson

Veterans Day is commemorated Monday, Nov. 12.

Robert Morris University: Open Our Lady of the Sacred Heart High School: Closed Montour School District: Closed Moon Area School District: Open Robinson Township Public Library: Open Moon Township Public Library: Open Post Offices: Closed 

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Look: A Map of Nearby Haunted Houses

Click on the map to get the address and link to the best haunted houses in the area.

If you're not into Friday night football, how about some Friday night frights? Haunted house season is in full swing, and we've found plenty of places where Robinson and Moon residents can be scared silly.  Just click on the interactive map to find the haunted house nearest you. Each location has a link for more information, times, and directions. If we missed one, email Patch editor Richard.Cook@patch.com and he will add it to the list. Stayng in touch with Robinson and Moon is easy Sign up here for our email newsletter and get headlines sent to your inbox.

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When is Rosh Hashanah 2012?

Make this holiday special with these traditional recipes and share some of your favorites.

This Sunday, as the day draws to a close, the Jewish community will ring in year 5773 as part of their celebration of Rosh Hashanah, or the Jewish New Year. The festivities will continue until nightfall on Tuesday, Sept. 18. Although there are no synagogues or Jewish centers in Moon or Robinson, worshippers can find services throughout the Greater Pittsburgh area. At Beth-Samuel Jewish Center in Ambridge, the Erev Rosh Hashanah service will be held at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 16. First Day Rosh Hashanah is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Monday, Sept. 17. Second Day Rosh Hashanah is 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 18. Children's activities will be available beginning at 9:30 a.m. on Sept. 17, with service starting at 10:30 a.m. until the end of the adult …

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