Mary Pickels stories, Page 11

David Burstin, chair of The Frick Pittsburgh board of trustees, announces Elizabeth E. Barker as the museum’s fourth — and first woman — executive director. Barker’s appointment follows a 9-month national search, Burstin says in a release, following former executive director Robin Nicholson’s departure for a position in Georgia. Barker,...

For 35 years, Seven Springs Mountain Resort has been celebrating the season of Jack Frost, pumpkins, hearty fare and Halloween. Autumnfest returns this year for four weekends, beginning on Sept. 28-29 and concluding Oct. 19-20, with food and entertainment centering on the season. The weekends feature more than 80 artisans...

A spot popular with ATV-riders and partiers seeking seclusion leads to a mammoth cleanup effort from the Jacobs Creek Watershed Association each year. The association needs both volunteers and operators of off-road vehicles, says Annie Quinn, executive director. “The majority of trash is beer cans,” Quinn says. The association will...

When darkness falls, even small towns that appear innocent by day can seem intimidating, full of shadows, dark alleyways, deserted streets. Everyone remembers Haddonfield, right? With Halloween approaching and imaginations heightening, the Scottdale Historical Society is planning “scary walking tours” in the borough. The tours are set for 8 p.m....

Another store is planning to close in the Countryside Plaza in East Huntingdon. Signs advertising “mega closing event” began appearing in the Peebles department store windows not long ago. Unlike grocery store County Market, which closed in August, and Payless shoe store, which left the plaza two years ago, the...

Fans of Daphne du Maurier’s “Rebecca,” along with devotees of the “Downton Abbey” series, likely will enjoy English author Gilly Macmillan’s newest novel, “The Nanny.” Inside a rambling mansion outside of London, Lady Virginia Holt, her daughter, Jo, and Jo’s young daughter, Ruby, share an uneasy existence. Thirty years ago,...

As part of Banned Books Week, Sept. 22-28, Carnegie Mellon University’s English department is partnering with the ACLU and the Book Fairies of Pennsylvania to shed light on the topic of book banning. The Book Fairies share the joy of reading by leaving their books in public places to be...

Ligonier Country Market will offer several special features during its 8 a.m. to noon Sept. 21 event. Music will be provided by The Cash Out Show, a trio paying tribute to Johnny Cash. A local artist demonstration will give a preview of the same-day Ligonier Art Walk, held in town...

The Westmoreland Cultural Trust will host “Blues, Brews & BBQ,” a new event pairing smoky flavors and soulful tunes, all washed down with some cool brews. The 6 to 10 p.m. Sept. 20 event will be held in the Trust’s Art in the Alley and the Helman-Ghrist parking lot in...

Cookbook author Katie Parla will attend an event at Pittsburgh’s DiAnoia’s Eatery, 2549 Penn Ave., as she releases her newest book, “Food of the Italian South: Recipes for Classic, Disappearing and Lost Dishes.” The cookbook explores the Italian South’s culinary traditions. Guests can meet Parla, enjoy some of her recipes...

Along with produce, prepared foods and crafts to sample and buy on Sept. 7, Ligonier Country Market will offer several special features between 8 a.m. and noon. Music will be provided this week by folk-rock duo Woods Rising, with Derek Woods and Sara Woods. The two have been playing music...

Shopping for items with designer names attached to them typically means a hefty price tag will be attached as well. Not so for the Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra’s fundraising Cheap ‘N Chic event, set for 6-8 p.m. Sept. 26 at the Greensburg Garden and Civic Center, 951 Old Salem Road. “It’s...