Mary Pickels stories, Page 10
5 things to do in and around Westmoreland this weekend: Oct. 11-13
Hang in there, weekend warriors. Your time is nigh, and the options for cramming fun into the next couple of days are numerous. Throughout Westmoreland County (and slightly beyond), join the throngs to watch parades, wander through a pumpkin patch, shop for antiques and collectibles and check out a cabaret....
Yinzer Bars giving region a sweet taste of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh residents are known for both a keen sense of humor and a strong sense of pride. A new chocolate bar indulges both of those qualities, and its sales will help benefit a nonprofit established to help curb the drug epidemic in young adults. A collection of milk chocolate candy...
Loyalhanna Watershed Association plans annual art auction
Loyalhanna Watershed Association is planning its 35th annual signature fundraising art auction, featuring works from local and national artists. Plans include an open bar reception with hors d’oeuvres, a silent auction, a three-course dinner and live auction from 6-9 p.m. Oct. 26 at the Latrobe Country Club, 346 Arnold Palmer...
Jacobs Creek Watershed Association director moving on
Five years ago, as she began her new position as Jacobs Creek Watershed Association executive director, Annie Quinn brought with her a “dream journal.” “It was full of events like floats, bike rides, the (annual fundraising) Headwaters party,” she says. “I have checked off every single one of those dream...
Greensburg native pays tribute to storyteller, musician Harry ChapinVideo
Growing up in Greensburg, John McMenamin recalls spending his spare time acting and directing plays at the former Cabaret Theatre in Hempfield. The graduate of Greensburg Central Catholic High School and Saint Vincent College says a performance by the late Harry Chapin at his college alma mater inspires him to...
‘Faith & Gratitude’ offers cancer patients empowerment, guidanceVideo
When Lori Ball was diagnosed with ovarian cancer shortly before Christmas 2015, it rocked her and her family’s world. The North Huntingdon resident recalls preparing herself to do battle with her illness, and anticipating a hospital team providing a “holistic approach.” Following surgery, and throughout 18 weeks of chemotherapy, Ball,...
Walk 93 raises funds for national memorial design completion
Walkers will again lace up their sneakers and make a recreational and educational visit to the Flight 93 National Memorial for the fifth annual Walk 93. The Friends of Flight 93 National Memorial will host the event, starting at 10 a.m. Oct. 12. “It’s an all-ages event. Participants are welcome...
Superior Motors plans nightshade food, Day Wines pairing
Superior Motors will host a “Night + Day” dinner featuring a six-course meal of nightshade vegetables paired with wines by Brianne Day of Day Wines in Willamette Valley, Oregon. The special menu will be offered Oct. 13 at the restaurant at 1211 Braddock Ave., Braddock. According to a release, Day...
Best Buddies take educational tour of Rivendale FarmsVideo
In advance of its annual Best Buddies TasteBuds event, which pairs Pittsburgh area chefs with a Buddy sous chef, 14 Buddies spent Oct. 5 at Rivendale Farms for an educational tour of the Bulger, Washington County, farm. Rivendale Farms’ executive chef, Daniele Brenci, will be among the chefs helping their...
Life is a cabaret, says Jeannette Community Band
Expanding its entertainment format for a night, the Jeannette Community Band will hold a cabaret-style concert at 7 p.m. Oct. 13 at the Jeannette American Legion. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m., says Sherrie Wood, band secretary. In a departure from the band’s typical concert performances, the audience will be...
Dan + Shay to play Pittsburgh on 1st headlining arena tourVideo
Grammy-winning Dan + Shay — Wexford native Dan Smyers and musical partner Shay Mooney — will head out in 2020 on their first headlining arena tour, stopping at PPG Paints Arena in September. The 35-plus date tour, presented by AEG Presents, kicks off on March 6, 2020, at Bridgestone Arena...
Burgatory’s Burger Bash offers meaty charitable fundraiser
Burgatory is sponsoring the seventh annual “The Pittsburgher Burger Bash,” with numerous regional contenders competing for the title of “Best Burger in the ‘Burgh.” The bash is set 1 to 6:30 p.m. Oct. 12 at the 299 West Bridge St., Homestead location. A panel of notable food enthusiasts, including The...
‘Cool’ artist John Van Hamersveld meets with Greensburg Salem art studentsVideo
One day before The Westmoreland Museum of American Art’s annual Big Art Party, the featured artist spent Friday conducting workshops for art students at Greensburg Salem High School. The Westmoreland’s current exhibit, “Era of Cool: The Art of John Van Hamersveld,” continues through Oct. 20. Van Hamersveld is perhaps best...
National Taco Day kicks off the weekend with a little spice
Never mind Taco Tuesday. Friday is National Taco Day, and lovers of the cheesy, the saucy, the crunchy are on the hunt for delicious deals. According to nationaltacoday.com, the word “taco” is the Mexican equivalent of the English “sandwich.” A corn or wheat tortilla is filled with a spicy protein,...
5 things to do in Westmoreland this weekend: Oct. 4-6Video
The days are getting shorter, the evenings cooler and fall activities are ramping up. From musical performances to amusement parks and farm festivals, Westmoreland County offers a lengthy potential “to do” list this weekend. Get outdoors and enjoy Indian summer, then head indoors for some culture. And maybe enjoy a...
Take a bite out of the Delmont Apple ‘n Arts FestivalVideo
From cider to dumplings to bags full of fruit for crunching and baking, the Delmont Apple ‘n Arts Festival signals the return of autumn flavors. This year marks the festival’s 37th anniversary, and the 112th anniversary of its apple press, says Brandy Walters, festival communications and marketing director. Opening ceremonies...
With her ‘Head Above Water,’ Avril Lavigne heads to Pittsburgh still a bit ‘Complicated’Video
Following a five-year break, Avril Lavigne is back on tour, taking her sixth studio album, “Head Above Water,” out on the road, including a planned Pittsburgh stop. Lavigne, 35, first drew attention in 2002 while a teenager with the hit singles and videos “Complicated” and “Sk8er Boi” from the album...
69 years later, we still love Snoopy and the rest of the ‘Peanuts’ gangVideo
“Peanuts,” the comic strip full of relatable characters for most of us, turns 69 today. In nearly 70 years, multiple generations have come to love and continue to love the story of a boy, his dog Snoopy, his friends and a little bird called Woodstock. Everyone has a know-it-all like...
Animator Ron Campbell brings 1960s-era pop culture to PittsburghVideo
Growing up in Australia, in those dark, pre-television days, Ron Campbell spent many a weekend with pals in movie theaters. He had no inkling at the time that a light was about to dawn on his future career. Campbell became known worldwide for his animation on The Beatles’ “Yellow Submarine,”...
‘Cooking for One’ teaches grief survivors solo culinary skillsVideo
There are smiles and laughter all around as two dozen people gather to decorate Halloween pumpkins, enjoy fun-size candy bars and prepare and share a meal. The setting may be a bit unusual — the Frank Kapr Funeral Home Family Center in Scottdale. This second session of a new, locally...
WQED reaps Emmy, documentary, community service awards
Pittsburgh PBS station WQED will have to find a little extra shelf space, following its 14 Mid-Atlantic Emmy wins during the 37th annual award ceremony, held Sept. 28 at Wyndham Grand Pittsburgh. WQED was proud to receive 14 Emmy Awards at the 2019 @EmmyMidAtlantic, held last night in #Pittsburgh for...
You Are Here gallery plans expanded second invitational
The You Are Here art gallery in Jeannette will hold its second annual invitational next month, with twice as many participants as its first event. A 6 p.m. Oct. 12 opening reception is planned at the 406 Clay Ave. gallery, and the show will run until Nov. 23, says Mary...
Mushroom Rally brings costumed go karting to PittsburghVideo
Go karting with a twist is how organizers describe the Mushroom Rally experience, in which drivers can don their favorite costumes and race around a themed track, competing for prizes. The competition will be held at 9 and 11 a.m. and 1, 3, 5 and 7 p.m. Sept. 28-29 and...
Diamond Theatre of Ligonier holding Christmas play auditions
Auditions will soon take place for a production Diamond Theatre of Ligonier owner Leigh Ann Rice-McCulty has written for the holiday season. “‘The Christmas Storm of the Century’ is a funny and heartwarming play about Christmas Eve shenanigans that take place when a family get-together turns out to be longer...
Celebrate National Coffee Day with a free cup
National Coffee Day is Sept. 29, which means many of us will have a leisurely day off to sip our favorite morning beverage. Pittsburghers like their brew. According to wallethub.com, the city cracks the top 20 (landing at 19) on a list of best cities for coffee lovers in America....
