Philadelphia transplant and family call Cranberry Township home, says it is worth the commute from Pittsburgh
CRANBERRY TWP — Jared Stonesifer was born in Philadelphia and grew up near Pottsville, but he decided to put down roots in southwestern Butler County after he got the chance to know the people and the area.
Stonesifer worked at both the Butler and Cranberry Eagle after college, and during that time he had the chance to get to know the area and those who live in it.
“Having worked at the Eagle’s Cranberry office for nearly 8 years, I fell in love with this area and the people here, which played a large role in moving back here a few years ago,” Stonesifer said.
He lives in the Fox Run neighborhood with his wife, Gwen, and his two young sons, Beau and Eli.
“(Pottsville) was and still is a very beautiful, peaceful place to grow up. I grew up steps away from the Appalachian Trail and spent my childhood in the woods playing with friends,” Stonesifer said. “That kind of bucolic upbringing, I think, is one of the factors that enticed me to live in Butler County.”
While at the Eagle, Stonesifer was living in Pittsburgh and commuting to Cranberry Township.
Now, he does the opposite. He lives in Cranberry Township and commutes to his job as university spokesperson/senior director of external communications at the University of Pittsburgh.
He says the 45-minute commute during rush hour is worth it to live in southwestern Butler County.
“Living in Cranberry really is the best of both worlds,” Stonesifer said. “Close enough to the city, but far enough away to be able to enjoy the benefits of living in a mostly rural county.”
Southwestern Butler County gives the family access to both many attractions that the Stonesifer family loves.
“We love going to local parks, especially the playgrounds at North Boundary and Community parks — as well as local trampoline parks like Urban Air and Elevate,” said Stonesifer, calling the area “very kid-friendly.”
Stonesifer said he has also always been impressed with how Cranberry Township government officials, former and current, care about the area and the people that live in it.
“People like former township manager Jerry Andree and current Supervisor Bruce Mazzoni were the nicest public officials I ever covered in my journalism career. Always welcoming, smiling and inviting,” Stonesifer said.
Now he gets to experience the excellent local government as a citizen.
“It always felt like Cranberry was a special place being led and governed by people who truly wanted the best for their community, people who were willing to put in the work to make sure Cranberry remained a special place to be,” Stonesifer said.
“And now that I live here, I can say that’s exactly the case — the people here make the difference.”
