Audiences exiting Northgate High School's spring musical production of "Mary Poppins" will leave the auditorium with more than just the lyrics of "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" lodged in their minds.

They'll also have visions of Laken Burns, portraying Mary Poppins, in full flight across the stage, as well as other students performing some athletically demanding choreography throughout the show.

Of course, Laken will have some help in navigating Mary's flight, that coming from "Flying by Foy," a company based in Las Vegas, with offices in London, and Philadelphia.

Students and faculty sponsors of Avonworth's annual Children's Hospital holiday auction recently grouped up to present a check to Molly Vogel, the hospital's develoment coordinator.

While the amount was slightly less than last year's, the combined middle and high school total of more than $17,000 allowed the schools to maintain the distinction of being the top school donors to the hospital's free care fund.

Bookmobile service will continue in Ben Avon for at least the next two years, despite the decision of the borough council to eliminate funding for it.

After 50 years of fronting the Wee Jams, a rhythm and blues soul band of North Boroughs origin and national popularity, lead singer Bill Dell has decided to call it quits.

While the band may play on, it will be without the voice that sang lead on such songs as "Patti Ann," and "Pretty Young Girls," two of the songs that became signature recordings for the group that has entertained audiences for 50 years in Western Pennsylvania and beyond, South Carolina providing the band's favorite out-of-area fan base.

By NANCY WHYTE

Next week, the Andrew Bayne Memorial Library celebrates its 100th anniversary. The history of this local institution is fascinating and is just one of the aspects to be enjoyed when library staff, patrons, and community residents of all ages join in the May 16 and 17 celebration.

She started out as a sunflower, but chances are good that someday soon she'll be a star.

That might be a lot to say about an 8-year-old actress, but this particular actress has more credits to her name than many performers twice her age can claim.

Sophie Guest, daughter of Amy and Steve Guest of Ben Avon, grew up with the good fortune to have at least a passing connection to the entertainment industry, but probably more important is her natural ability to flash a smile that can light up a room with more wattage than a few dozen klieg lights on a movie set.

By NANCY WHYTE

The Northside Easter Sunrise Service at Riverview Park, a celebration that has become an annual Easter tradition for many North Borough families, is observing its 80th anniversary on Sunday, April 20.

Each Easter morning, religious leaders and worshippers from a wide variety of denominations gather together to celebrate their Christian beliefs. The service, as usual, will be held at 6:30 a.m. in Riverview Park, in front of the observatory.

By NANCY WHYTE

On Sunday, March 24, longtime Emsworth resident Richard R. Waldron was posthumously inducted into the Hall of Valor at Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall in Pittsburgh. More than 15 family members and friends attended the formal, military presentation. Adam Armendariz, the oldest of Waldron's seven grandchildren, accepted the plaque on Waldron's behalf.

"It was an honor to represent my granddad today." Armendariz later posted on his Facebook page. He was "a quiet hero who loved his family, his country, and his community selflessly."

Most Pittsburghers of an age have memories of Porky Chedwick, the iconic Pittsburgh deejay who passed away last Sunday. Porky, a.k.a. the "Daddio of the Raddio," "The Platter Pushin' Papa," "The Boss Man," and "Pork the Tork" introduced teens (mostly) to music to grow up to, music to rebel to, and for Bill Dell of Brighton Heights, to music that influenced his entire life.

"Black records were not being played on the radio back then, but Porky loved the deep rhythm 'n' blues, the black sound," Dell recalled. "He completely integrated music."

So which Olympic sport might you consider to be the most exciting to watch? Hockey? Skiing? Luge?

Ask Mark Robinson of Bellevue, and he won't hesitate for a second to answer, "Curling!" and then for as much time as you might have to spare and with just a little persuasion, he might be prevailed upon to discuss some of the finer points of the sport.

"As I sat at my high school graduation, listening to our class valedictorian speak about the lines on the wall, I looked around and wondered how the 69 of us would turn out. Truly a magical number for a public high school graduating class those days, a public high school in the suburbs of a major city, at that. Christina, the valedictorian, was obviously speaking metaphorically about the mortar lines that ran through the bricks of our high school walls. As we choose different paths in our lives, she said, our choices dictate how we end up.