Shirley McMarlin stories, Page 5
Mystery writer K.C. Constantine’s home for sale in Greensburg’s Academy Hill
When Carl Kosak returned from work to his home in Greensburg’s Academy Hill neighborhood, he got something to eat and then headed down to the basement. That’s where he assumed his second identity — one long hidden from co-workers, neighbors and friends — as acclaimed mystery writer K.C. Constantine. “My...
5 things to do in Westmoreland County this weekend: June 2-4
Madcap musical Saint Vincent Summer Theatre’s season-opening production of “The Andrews Brothers” has performances at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday in the Carey Performing Arts Center at Saint Vincent College in Unity. The musical is a madcap romp of mistaken identities, featuring 30 songs...
Fleetwood Mac tribute kicks off SummerSounds concert seasonVideo
A group of singer-songwriters from Rochester, N.Y., found a niche when they came together for a one-off performance of Fleetwood Mac’s “Rumours” album. “It was very popular, so we did it a few more times, and then we turned it into a real band,” said Teagan Ward, who sings the...
Bruce Cockburn bringing 50-year musical treasure trove to The PalaceVideo
Through more than 50 years of making music, Bruce Cockburn has generally been identified as a Canadian singer/songwriter. The designation is no longer strictly accurate. In 2022, Cockburn became a dual Canadian-United States citizen. “I got a green card because I married an American, and I married an American because...
Behind the Art: Greater Latrobe art collection includes founder’s work
(Editor’s note: Behind the Art is a recurring series highlighting artistic works throughout the county.) The Greater Latrobe School District owes its Special Art Collection to the vision of two teachers who, in the depths of the Great Depression, saw the value of exposing students to original works of art....
Out & About: Ligonier Valley meal deliverers get thank-you party
For a small-town group, Ligonier Valley Meals on Wheels puts up some pretty impressive statistics. About 100 volunteers prepare and deliver between 40 and 50 meals Monday through Friday every week, assisting three paid employees. That includes about 30 cooks sharing duties in the kitchen at Heritage United Methodist Church...
Out & About: First Westmoreland Art Nationals show opens at WCCC
At the opening of the Westmoreland Art Nationals, exhibiting photographer Brandon Flume of Jeannette said, “I got the greatest award there is.” It had nothing to do with his work, though. He was referring to his engagement to another exhibiting photographer, Jessica Schulte of Davidsville. They said they only told...
Seth Rupert overcomes deafness to teach kids at Latrobe Art Center
Seth Rupert says he’s lucky to have a job at Latrobe Art Center. But everyone else seems to think it’s the center that is lucky to have him. “It’s hard for a deaf person to get a good job, even at Walmart or Target,” said Rupert, who has been a...
Johnny Cash tribute kicks off Hempfield Park summer concert series
Fans of the legendary Man in Black are in for a treat, as The Cash Out Show takes the stage at 7 p.m. Saturday in Hempfield Park. The tribute to Johnny Cash will kick off the “Amp Up Your Summer” concert series hosted by Hempfield Township Parks & Recreation. The...
5 things to do in Westmoreland County this weekend: May 26-28
Community music A recital by students in the Seton Hill University Community Music Program will begin at 6:30 p.m. Friday in the university’s Performing Arts Center, 100 Harrison Ave., Greensburg. The program serves area young people and adults who are seeking to advance their musical training and performance skills through...
Jeannette concert, food truck nights expand to 8 summer dates
Some homegrown heroes will take the stage for the season opener of Concert and Food Truck Thursdays in downtown Jeannette. Rock band Twisted Fate will play a free show 6 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday at the Elliott Group Amphitheater at Clay Avenue and South Fifth Street. Food trucks and a...
New Warhol Museum curator says ‘Warhol touches everything’ in art world
The incoming chief curator of The Andy Warhol Museum says he wouldn’t even have a career in the art world if it weren’t for the museum’s namesake. “Warhol touches everything,” said Aaron Levi Garvey, who will arrive this summer at the museum in Pittsburgh’s North Side. “I always say I...
Out & About: 2 artist groups join forces for ‘Art Neighbors’ show
Automotive pioneer Henry Ford once said, “Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.” The notion is reflected in “Art Neighbors,” a joint exhibit presented by the Greensburg and Latrobe art centers. The fifth annual show opened May 4 at Latrobe Art Center, featuring 133...
Out & About: The Westmoreland’s happy hour goes ‘off to the races’
And they were “Off to the Races” at a May 12 Kentucky Derby-themed Art on Tap happy hour at The Westmoreland Museum of American Art. Guests were invited to come in haute hippodrome couture, and they obliged with summer frocks, fascinators and chapeaus for the ladies and fedoras and sport...
Out & About: SAMA-Ligonier Valley exhibit is all in the family
It’s a family affair. “In Our Elements: Works in Wood, Glass and Painting,” the current exhibit at the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art at Ligonier Valley, features work by noted local artists Paul and Mandy Sirofchuck and their daughter, Clair Maier. Paul is an award-winning woodworker for his contemporary furniture...
Out & About: Bushy Run Battlefield tea offers bonus history lessons
Finger sandwiches, scones, strawberry soup, salad and orange fluff were on the menu for the annual Spring Tea, held May 12 at Bushy Run Battlefield in Penn Township. A sell-out crowd of 69 gathered in the stone room at the visitor center around tables set with white linens, china and...
The Westmoreland plans free wedding, special event vendor showcase
If you’re planning a wedding or other special event, The Westmoreland Museum of American Art has a deal for you. A free wedding and special event vendor showcase is planned for 6 to 9 p.m. Sunday in the museum at 221 N. Main St., Greensburg. Information also will be available...
New Studio Flex moves into former Laurel Ballet home in Greensburg
Eve Squires is fulfilling a childhood dream with Studio Flex, her new dance and fitness business in Greensburg. Classes started in early May in the studio at 813 Highland Ave., Greensburg, former longtime home of the now-defunct Laurel Ballet. Instruction is geared for adults, either with or without previous dance...
5 things to do in Westmoreland County this weekend: May 19-21
Retro rock Rock all the way back to the ‘90s with two tribute shows this weekend at The Lamp Theatre, 222 Main St., Irwin. • Best of Foo: Tribute to the Foo Fighters, 8 p.m. Friday. • Lounge Fly: A Tribute to Stone Temple Pilots, 8 p.m. Saturday. A ticket...
West Overton annual Makers Market to be biggest sale ever
About 95 vendors will be present for the annual Makers Market, set for 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at West Overton Village in East Huntingdon. Serving as a kickoff to the historic site’s visitor season, the market will be the biggest ever, said Pamela Curtin, West Overton director of...
Aubrey Burchell appears in ‘America’s Got Talent’ Las Vegas show
The call finally came for Aubrey Burchell. Following her run to the semifinals of “America’s Got Talent” in September, the North Huntingdon singer was contracted to perform in “America’s Got Talent Presents Super Stars Live” at the Luxor Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas as an on-call, as-needed performer for...
Flat Tire bike shop in Greensburg forms youth mountain bike race team
Kids interested in mountain bike racing are invited to check out the new Laurel Highlands Composite Mountain Bike Team being sponsored by Flat Tire Co. Bike Shop in Greensburg. “It’s our passion, it’s something we love, so we’re just trying to get more kids out there on bikes,” said shop...
Out & About: Derby Day for Charity sprints to strong finish
The 149th running of the Kentucky Derby was plagued with issues, but not so the 9th annual Derby Day for Charity. Hosted by the Laurel Ridge Foundation, the event went off without a hitch on May 6 at Latrobe Country Club in Unity. The signature event of the Ligonier-based private...
Out & About: Afternoon tea benefits Ligonier Valley Education Trust
Nothing feels quite as fancy as sitting down to afternoon tea, at a table set with crisp linens, fine china and an array of dainty sweets and savories. The Ligonier Valley Education Trust provided the elegant tradition at three seatings on April 30 at Connections Cafe in Ligonier. Guests sipped...
Out & About: Greensburg Art Center presents ‘Biennial 2023’
As an art exhibit juror, Clayton Merrell said his fundamental approach is to look for work that “causes me to feel something or think something or see something in a new way. A painter and associate professor of art at Carnegie Mellon University, Merrell put that aesthetic to work as...

