Mary Pickels stories, Page 9
Regional photographers win prizes, spots in Laurel Highlands tourism guide
This year’s winning images for the Laurel Highlands Visitors Bureau’s 15th annual Laurel Highlands Photo Contest are a colorful salute to the area’s people, plants and animals, places, festivals and events. From close-ups of cute kids and critters, to fairs and air shows, landscapes and a church under starry skies,...
Pour Tour maps out Laurel Highlands’ craft beverage purveyorsVideo
West Overton Village and Museums in East Huntingdon anticipates reviving its own history by producing and selling whiskey by next year. Already, though, the historical site is a designated stop on the new Laurel Highlands Pour Tour, which offers free passports visitors can take to many of the region’s craft...
5 things to do in Westmoreland this weekend: Oct. 25-27Video
It’s the final weekend of October, the last gasp of all things Halloween-related. Time to get out to the festivals, carve the pumpkins, go in search of haunted happenings, stock up on candy (you know, for the tricker or treaters, right?) The leaves are glowing, the weather is just right...
Friendly, furry faces recognized for easing Westmoreland court proceduresVideo
What could have been a cacophony of canines instead was more a parade of well-behaved — and mostly silent — pooches at the Westmoreland County Courthouse on Thursday. During an appreciation luncheon, the dogs and their handlers were recognized for participating in the nearly year-old therapy dog program, launched by...
Haunting tale opens PICT Classic Theatre’s new season
PICT Classic Theatre general operations manager Catherine Kolos says the upcoming stage production of “The Woman in Black” is “unlike anything we have ever done.” “It’s going to be a really intriguing show,” she says. And be warned. “Our goal is to scare the pants off of people,” she says....
Fall into fun at Historic Hanna’s Town
From decorating pumpkins to hearing tales of the supernatural, trick-or-treating to military drill demonstrations, the Westmoreland Historical Society has autumn covered. Historic Hanna’s Town will host its annual Fall Family Day on Oct. 26, with jack-o’-lantern tours planned for Oct. 25-26 at the 809 Forbes Trail Road site in Hempfield....
You Are Here offering Lean On Me cane making workshop
You Are Here in Jeannette is offering an upcoming cane-making workshop in which participants can decorate a cane for a friend or family member, or for their own use. Jen Costello, a founder of the art space with Mary Briggs, also is founder of the Lean On Me Project, which...
Country musician Chris Janson makes Palace Theatre tour stopVideo
Chris Janson, a country musician known for hits including “Drunk Girl” and “Buy Me A Boat,” will perform at the Palace Theatre in Greensburg early next year. The man Rolling Stone magazine calls a “live legacy in the making” is set to perform Feb. 7 at the 21 W. Otterman...
West Overton annual Whiskey Smash salutes its history
West Overton Village and Museums is planning its fifth annual Whiskey Smash, celebrating local distilleries and the popularity of craft whiskey and distilled products. The historical site in East Huntingdon holds the popular fundraiser to help ensure ongoing preservation and interpretation efforts. The fun begins at 6 p.m. Nov. 16...
Filmmakers seek Pittsburgh extras for new Jason Momoa film
Do you have the chops to portray Pittsburgh baseball fans, hospital staff, first responders, airplane passengers and the like? If you are a Pittsburgh region resident, or can convincingly play one, the producers of Jason Momoa’s new Netflix film, “Sweet Girl,” want to see you. Filming is expected to begin...
Greensburg Hempfield Area Library beckons the brave to its haunted cellar
Greensburg Hempfield Area Library staff members know kids like to be scared at Halloween, just like many of their older siblings and parents. So they put together an annual “Haunted Cellar” on the lower level of the library, at 237 S. Pennsylvania Ave., and invite them to enter — if...
Jim Gaffigan kicks off comedy tour in Pittsburgh
Comedian Jim Gaffigan, actor, best-selling author, Emmy winner — and, as he often wearily notes, father of five — is headed back out on tour. Pittsburgh is the city where he will kick off his “The Pale Tourist” tour with a Jan. 10 performance PPG Paints Arena. Gaffigan will then...
Red Robin’s fall menu has new items, brings back favorites
Red Robin Gourmet Burgers and Brews is introducing a new burger and bringing back a few fan favorites as part of a limited-time menu. Through Jan. 26, diners can enjoy the new French Onion Ringer. Topped with Swiss cheese, crispy onion straws, French onion spread and tomatoes on a melted...
Scarecrow contest launches the spooky season in Ligonier
Ligonier Valley Chamber of Commerce is bringing back its popular scarecrow contest, with the entries now on display. Each autumn, the borough’s downtown becomes home to dozens of carefully crafted scarecrows. All winners in the creativity department, the scarecrows also compete for votes and cash prizes. This year’s 30 “scary,...
5 things to do in and around Westmoreland this weekend: Oct. 18-20
Whether you prefer to watch the leaves turn colors and enjoy some fall crafts and cider, or hike through the woods at night — and maybe being spooked a time or two — this weekend’s events bring out the best of the season. In nearby Fayette County, a festival featuring...
Greensburg Art Center opens exhibition, plans ‘GIFTing’ event
The Greensburg Art Center is wrapping up one program and gearing up for the busy holiday season with another . Latrobe artist Rachel Wheeler is the final exhibitor in this year’s “Picture This at the Library,” a joint venture between the art center and the Greensburg-Hempfield Library, 237 S. Pennsylvania...
Start your Thanksgiving off with Greensburg’s annual Turkey Trot
For nearly three decades, determined walkers and runners have laced up their sneakers and headed out on Thanksgiving Day morning to take on the streets of downtown Greensburg, before they take on Thanksgiving dinner. The 28th annual Greensburg 5K Turkey Trot, sponsored by Big Brothers Big Sisters Laurel Region, will...
Monster Bash plans horrifying, timely return to PittsburghVideo
With Halloween lurking just around the corner, those who enjoy being scared silly, or who just enjoy being scared or silly, can check out the Monster Bash produced by Creepy Classic Collectibles in Cranberry Township. Another installment of classic horror, sci-fi and fantasy film screenings, along with celebrity appearances, vendor...
Laurel Highlands Meadery sweetens production with expansion in South Greensburg
What began as a home hobby about 15 years ago has grown into an expanding business for Matt Falenski, with the recent opening of a second Laurel Highlands Meadery location. Falenski and his wife, Mandy, began manufacturing at their previous homes in Herminie and South Greensburg around 2010, selling their...
Hauntings and horror in the Laurel HighlandsVideo
Harvest moons, scarecrows, pumpkin patches, frost on the garden’s final blooms, all signal autumn’s arrival. And with it Halloween, a season of witches, ghosts, things that go bump in the night and doors creaking open at haunted houses. Up for a scare? Dare your friends and family to climb aboard...
Yough recognizes trio of homecoming queens, 50 years later
Fifty years ago, three young women attending rival high schools simultaneously shared the title of Yough School District homecoming queen. During Yough’s homecoming festivities on Friday, Oct. 18, that honor will again be recognized with a special ceremony on the high school football field. The event marks a half century...
Goddesses get their groove on at ‘yoga and more’ retreat
Goddess Groove Mountaintop Yoga and More Retreat offers men and women a chance to relax at Christian W. Klay Winery, with overnight accommodations available at the Cottages at Fayette Springs, both in Fayette County. The Oct. 26-27 event features members of the yoga community mingling with artists, wellness and fitness...
Hallo-yoga class brings spooky stretching to St. Clair ParkVideo
Passersby near St. Clair Park in Greensburg Monday gave a second — maybe a third — look at the Robertshaw Amphitheater, as a gorilla, a super hero and a dinosaur took to the stage. Twisty tricks and Halloween treats were part of Westmoreland County Community Club’s presentation of Hallo-Yoga, an...
Can’t go wrong with these October restaurant specials
In recognition of October’s designation as National Seafood Month, Pittsburgh’s Grand Concourse restaurant is offering a shareable seafood feast throughout the month. Dubbed Charley’s Bucket for Two, the meal offers diners lobster, dungeness crab, mussels, clams, shrimp, andouille, redskin potatoes and corn for $89. Make reservations to enjoy this heaping...
Sweater sleeves transform into colorful, autumn gourds
Crafters can make use of sweaters’ empty arms and create colorful, seasonal pumpkins at an upcoming workshop at the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art Ligonier Valley. Mary Clark of Southwest Greensburg, a museum auxiliary member, will host “Pumpkin Palooza” from 1 to 3 p.m. Oct. 26 at the museum, 1...
