Mary Pickels stories

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Flight 93 National Memorial tree planting postponed until 2021Video

The annual Plant a Tree at Flight 93 event has been postponed until next year. Held at the Flight 93 National Memorial each spring, it typically fills its volunteer slots early. Many organizations and individuals return year after year. The 2019 event drew about 400 people planning to plant more...
Stuck-at-home cooks can channel Julia Child’s ‘The French Chef’Video

Cooks, or wannabe cooks, suddenly homebound due to the coronavirus pandemic can learn from the queen of television cooking. Julia Child’s cooking show, “The French Chef,” is still a fond memory for many who watched the live tapings. Child’s distinctive voice, easy-to-follow instructions and ability to laugh at her own...
Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra plays on — onlineVideo

In an effort to provide music to its fans while on hiatus due to the coronavirus outbreak, the Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra is introducing its new WSO to Go series. The orchestra website notes the series will “keep the music playing wherever we can.” ”We will be sharing videos from our...
Work from home and avoid distractions — it’s a challengeVideo

As people are advised to stay home and avoid crowds during the coronavirus outbreak, many suddenly find themselves working remotely. According to Business Insider, 43 percent of Americans work from home at least part time; 20 percent are primarily home-based. For many, though, telecommuting is a new way of working....
Where to see local and national music through live streamsVideo

The live performances may have been canceled (or postponed) out of an abundance of caution amid the coronavirus outbreak, but — as they love to say — “the show must go on.” And why not online? Many acts — local and national — are taking to the internet to perform...
These cleaning chemicals do not mix, warns Westmoreland hazmat team

As residents and businesses continue deep cleaning efforts, those attempting to eradicate germs as a part of battling coronavirus need to keep their own health and safety in mind. Mixing some cleansing agents and inhaling the vapors can be toxic, experts warn. The Westmoreland County Hazardous Materials Response Team 800...
Greensburg author, musician Karen Dietrich publishes ‘dark thriller’Video

Evelyn Gibson, the protagonist in Greensburg author Karen Dietrich’s novel “Girl at the Edge,” is a 16-year-old girl living in Florida with her loving, slightly unconventional family. “I’m into kind of dark stories, darker crime,” says Dietrich, 43. So the fact that Evelyn has always known her father was a...
Guinness adds some Irish to your St. Patrick’s Day dessertVideo

Soda bread. Kegs and eggs. Shepherd’s pie. Corned beef and cabbage. All washed down with green beer. As you tuck into the deliciousness of St. Patrick’s Day dining options, make sure to save room for dessert. And put aside a Guinness or two. The Irish stout has the power to...
Westmoreland Symphony hits social media to get postponement out

The Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra’s decision to postpone the planned March 14 “Irish Rhapsody” concert included a “full court press” announcement. Patron notifications include Endy Reindl, executive director, making the announcement Thursday via a video posted Thursday to the WSO’s website and social media accounts. In the video announcement, Reindl notes...
Carving out new purposes for golf courses, country clubsVideo

Mike Smetak recalls learning to play golf at Timber Ridge Golf Club in East Huntingdon, before it closed in 2016. In years prior, the site off Route 31 was known as the Mulberry Hill Golf Course. Smetak says he finds it “a little surreal” that he and his wife, Lindsay,...
Orchid Society of Western Pennsylvania show blooming

With a theme of “An Orchid Journey,” the Orchid Society of Western Pennsylvania will hold its annual orchid show March 14-15 at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Pittsburgh. “An ‘orchid journey’ is meant to describe the opportunity to experience the unbelievable variety and beauty of orchids firsthand,” says Norma Raiff,...
Hit the street (or trail) and join ‘team walking’ program

Spring may not have quite sprung, but the days are longer and many of us are eager to resume outdoor recreational activities. In an effort to encourage people to ramp up the “active” in their activity, Penn State Extension is offering “Everybody Walk Across PA.” Individuals of all ages and...
Notre Dame Club shares tale of El Camino pilgrimage

The Notre Dame Club of Greensburg/Uniontown will host “A Pilgrimage on the El Camino” with Bill and Stephanie Kennedy on March 31 at the Westmoreland Museum of American Art, 221 N. Main St., Greensburg. The 7 p.m. program is free and open to the public. The Mother of Sorrows Parish,...
Wigle Distillery marks opening of new space with ‘Grand’ tastings

Wigle Whiskey Distillery plans two upcoming tasting events to celebrate “The Grand Opening” of its new distillery restaurant and expanded tasting room. Two seatings will be offered on March 13 — at 6 and 7:30 p.m. The new space doubles the Strip District distillery’s size at 2401 Smallman St., Pittsburgh....
Spring forward and sip these refreshingly seasonal cocktails

Daylight savings time may rob us of an hour this weekend, but it brings those longer days we’ve missed all winter. Before you tackle spring cleaning or other seasonal chores, enjoy a colorful, garden-inspired cocktail or two from Fine Wine and Good Spirits. Sparkling Grapefruit & Rose 2 ounces Ketel...
Move the clocks forward and spring into longer daysVideo

Losing an hour of sleep is the price to pay for gaining a later period of daylight. Daylight savings time begins at 2 a.m. March 8. Move the clocks forward and enjoy driving home after work without headlights. Send the kids out to play before — and after — dinner....

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