Mary Pickels stories, Page 19

Ligonier Country Market’s special features on May 25 will include Spirits of the Mountain Sled Dogs. The dogs include four Alaskan huskies, three Alaskan malamutes and 10 Siberian huskies. They were in shelters or surrendered by their owners. The dogs train in the Laurel Mountain and surrounding areas and run...

In recent years, a young woman dressed as a friendly scarecrow has helped keep little ones busy, and educate them, as they visit Ligonier Country Market. Katie Andrews, aka Daisy Mae, is a 14-year-old freshman in the Ligonier Valley School District. From mid-May, when the market opens, until it closes...

The all-new “Disney Junior Holiday Party! On Tour,” presented by Pull-Ups, will get the Christmas season started with a 6 p.m. Nov. 7 appearance at Pittsburgh’s Heinz Hall. An extension of the popular Pollstar-nominated “Disney Junior Dance Party On Tour,” the 46-date interactive show features favorite Disney Junior characters, including...

The Ligonier Country Market will open for its 44th season on May 18 at the Loyalhanna Watershed Association Farm, off West Main Street and Route 30 in Ligonier. The market will be held from 8 a.m.-noon, rain or shine, each Saturday through September, says Cari Frei, executive director. Featured are...

Renowned Pittsburgh chef Justin Severino is taking on another challenge. By summer’s end, he hopes to open a yet-to-be-named casual, California-inspired cafe in McCandless near North Park. Severino closed his popular Cure restaurant in Lawrenceville a few months ago and already had announced plans to open another venture, Larder of...

In an effort to raise funds for trips next year, two area Girl Scout troops will have stations at Ligonier Country Market this summer, says Cari Frei, market manager. Ligonier Girl Scout Troop 46136 will sell girl-made specialty gummy bears, including vegan and sugar-free. The troop is raising money to...

Nemacolin Woodlands Resort’s newest dining experience, Barattolo, offers guests the chance to savor the flavors of Italy at the Farmington, Fayette County, resort. The restaurant opened May 15, with a grand opening planned for Memorial Day weekend, a resort spokeswoman says. The new restaurant is located in the former Caddyshack,...

Bushy Run Battlefield will hold a ghost tour from 9 p.m.-2 a.m. June 1, offering visitors a chance to experience the Penn Township historical site in a new way. Facility tour guides and a visiting paranormal group will lead the nighttime exploration of the battlefield and try to stir up...

And the nominees are … Pittsburgh CLO has announced the nominees for the 29th annual Gene Kelly Awards for Excellence in High School Musical Theater. Patterned after Broadway’s Tony Awards, the event will begin at 7:30 p.m. May 25 in the Benedum Center, 237 Seventh St., and will celebrate the...

The Westmoreland Museum of American Art in Greensburg will host “In Conversation: Will Wilson and Jami Powell,” from 2-3:30 p.m. May 19 at the 221 N. Main St. site. The talk will focus on exploring the photographic process from the perspectives of both artist and sitter, according to museum officials....

Seven Springs Mountain Resort will host a summer of events and festivals featuring live music, family adventure, fireworks and food. MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND Kids’ Mud on the Mountain Run, 9 a.m. May 25, barbecue buffet, AWRCS ATV and dirt bike races, children’s activities, followed at 7:30 p.m. by the Country...

When picking through produce at a grocery store or farmers market, one’s first inclination might be to look for only the best. That mindset, however, can contribute to a great deal of waste, as some consumers decline to purchase foods that don’t meet the “pretty” test. Imperfect looking food, though,...

Indiana’s Jimmy Stewart Museum will celebrate its native son’s 111th birthday with a party on May 19. Stewart was born in the Indiana County town on May 20, 1908. He died on July 2, 1997. The event also recognizes the 24th anniversary of the museum, located at 835 Philadelphia St....

The Andy Warhol Museum is celebrating its silver anniversary today, with plans to mark the 25th anniversary of its May 13, 1994, opening at 117 Sandusky St. on Pittsburgh’s North Side with several special events this year and next. It's our 25th anniversary! On 5/13/1994, we opened with an inaugural...

WQED invites the public to vote for the “Reader’s Choice Winner” in its 2019 PBS KIDS Writers Contest from May 24-31. The contest is made possible locally by the EQT Foundation. Partnering with WQED this year is West Virginia Public Broadcasting (WVPB); PBS 39 (WLVT), serving eastern Pennsylvania and western...

The Westmoreland Museum of American Art will present two events with internationally renowned culinary leader Chef Sean Sherman, founder of the company “The Sioux Chef” and author of “The Sioux Chef’s Indigenous Kitchen.” The book earned a James Beard medal for Best American Cookbook for 2018. These culinary experiences are...

Ligonier Valley Writers is seeking submissions for its 15th Flash Fiction Contest. Deadline is midnight Aug. 15. No fees are charged and cash prizes are awarded, according to publicity director Judith Gallagher. Flash fiction means under 1,000 words. For submission guidelines, visit LVWonline.org. The stories are performed for Halloween, and...

Not many moms will pass up a lovely brunch or dinner out on Mother’s Day. The annual holiday also tends to be one of the busiest in the restaurant industry. So if you haven’t made those Mother’s Day reservations yet, there are plenty of options for a fun, relaxing celebration...

The opening of the Westmoreland History Education Center at Historic Hanna’s Town is leading to new and expanded programs this year for children and families. Summer camps for children ages 6-12 will introduce them to the history of their backyards and beyond through educational hands-on activities, living history demonstrations, crafts...

The inspiration for Prince Harry and Meghan’s newborn son’s name seems to be causing as much drama as the wait for his birth. Little Archie — full name Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor — came as a surprise to those betting on his name. In fact, Archie was not even in the...