2010 West Newton Events & Activities Planned

Downtown West Newton, Inc. (DWNI) has listed all known community events and activities planned for 2010. Go to our Events Calendar for a full listing. If you have any questions about these events or wish to add an event or activity, contact DWNI at (724) 872-0100 or e-mail to dwni@winbeam.com.

Business Recognition of the Month

Downtown West Newton, Inc. (DWNI) will honor a West Newton business every month in 2010 to recognize their dedicated years of service and for providing quality products and services to the community and surrounding area.

DWNI honors West Newton Pizza House for 53 Years of Service

The West Newton Pizza House was established in 1957 by the Luzi family who first made pizzas at the Moose for Bingo nights. Violet Luzi was widowed with four children to raise; and her mother, Carmella, encouraged her to establish a pizza business and rent a building then owned by Suzanne Gordon (Mayor Popovich’s grandmother).

Since then, the Pizza House has become a town legend – owned and operated by 35-year-old Ryan Hunt, Violet’s grandson and passed down to him from his parents, Eugene and Eileen (Violet’s daughter) Hunt that still work there with friend Valerie Lash.

For 53 years, the Original-style pizza and location at 116 South Second Street hasn’t changed. “Pizza House pizza” is unique with its “cheddar” cheese and a secret recipe of fresh dough and sauce made daily. The Pizza House also makes blended-cheese and white pizzas with a wide variety of toppings – along with a special New York-style pizza with Fontinella Cheese called “The Carmella” after Ryan’s great grandmother. They also make “Violet’s Italian Dressing” available by the bottle or served on a garden salad.

Through the years, the Pizza House was popular among teens because it was next door to the old Grand Movie Theatre and had a jukebox and pinball games. Today, its “regulars” still mostly order takeout (pickup only), although some like to eat in at the café-style tables – like the local womens’card club that meets there monthly.

For four generations, the West Newton Pizza House is still going strong and is opened Monday through Thursday from 3:30 pm until 10:00 pm and Friday and Saturday from 3 pm until 11 pm. You can order ahead by calling (724) 872-6909. When you call, remember to thank them for serving the community for all these years!

"Buy-A-Brick" Campaign Underway

DWNI has begun the "Buy-A-Brick Campaign" to give you the opportunity to show your support. You can help us by purchasing one or more 4x8-inch bricks that can include your family name or a personal message for $50 each or 8x8-inch bricks for $75 each. Bricks will be permanently installed into the walkways at Simeral's Square and will be a lasting memorial to your loved ones. The bricks make great holiday gifts, too! The Town Square and Bridge enhancements that are part of the Bridge to Tomorrow Project.

Contact the DWNI office at (724) 872-0100 or email to dwni@winbeam.com to receive a brochure and order form. Find out more about the Bridge to Tomorrow Project below.

"Bridge to Tomorrow" Project

The Bridge to Tomorrow" Project is a downtown-riverfront-trailhead development plan to attract and serve the needs of visitors from the region, the Great Allegheny Passage trail and residents into downtown West Newton, Pa.

The "Bridge to Tomorrow" Project will connect downtown West Newton with the Great Allegheny Passage trailhead in West Newton through three main components:

• Develop the Trailhead and intersection where the Trail crosses Main Street so that it is more safe, useful and attractive.
  
  
• Develop the walking deck, railing and gateway access to the West Newton Bridge to attract visitors. The railing will display a "History Ribbon" of West Newton in relationship to national history.
  
  
• Create a Town Square known as "Simeral's Square" on Main Street and along the riverfront to create walkable "greenspace" and activity center for concerts and recreation.

Construction of the bridge enhancements including a renovated railing and deck is planned for late 2010 after PennDOT's scheduled maintenance.

Downtown West Newton, Inc. (DWNI) purchased the former gas station and commercial building along North Water Street to construct a new riverfont Town Square. Read latest press release.