Lifestyles category, Page 132
Out & About: Leadership Karaoke brings out hidden musical talentVideo
Participants in Westmoreland Diversity Coalition’s Leadership Karaoke say that the organizations’ co-chair Carlotta Paige has a particular talent for getting people to sing at the event. It’s called arm-twisting. Everyone who performed at the second annual event, held March 7 at Ferrante’s Lakeview in Hempfield, was happy to have their...
Out & About: Guests relive prom night at Blind Association event
Prom is an occasion for high schoolers to make memories that last a lifetime. On March 6, the Westmoreland County Blind Association provided an opportunity for reliving those memories and making some new ones with its A Night to Remember … Adult Prom. Held at Rizzo’s Banquet Hall in Crabtree,...
Out & About: Roaring 20s dance benefits Westmoreland food bank
Did you know that the male equivalent of the Roaring 20s flapper was called a sheik? Well, now you do. A century later, some 2020 sheiks and flappers drove their flivvers to Ferrante’s Lakeview in Hempfield on March 7 for a Roaring 20s Retro Dinner/Dance to benefit the Westmoreland County...
Out & About: Parks and rec comedy night is a tonic for 300 guests
They say laughter is the best medicine. The Mayo Clinic confirms it, noting on its website that laughter benefits internal organs by upping oxygen intake, lessens tension and stress, relieves pain and boosts the immune system. That being the case, about 300 people left the Youngwood Fire Hall on March...
Spring is just around the corner and so are custard treats
Mark your calendars and tell your sweet tooth. Independent ice cream and custard stands sprinkled around the Alle-Kiski Valley are prepping for their upcoming sweet season — with opening dates set. “The first sunny day in winter I have people asking us to open,” says Ice Cream Pump owner Cindy...
Remember When: March 9
100 years ago Depleted GAR post to disband The Grand Army of the Republic, Post 495 of Natrona will disband after 28 years. General Thomas Rowley said “41 members have been called by death” and suspensions, disabilities and transfers have depleted the post to 10 members. 75 years ago New...
Why you shouldn’t order ‘chai tea’
Tea lovers, listen up. I’m about to save you from an easy error we’ve all made before. Here it is: Chai means tea. Yes, that means if you’ve ever gone to a coffee or teahouse and ordered a “chai tea,” you basically ordered a “tea tea.” While it is common...
Poach boneless chicken breasts for flavor, tenderness
This time of year, boneless, skinless chicken breasts are my go-to protein. You can add them to a grain bowl, a green salad or Caesar, or shred them to make chicken salad, soup, casseroles, one-pot meals, etc. But so often they are dried out and tasteless. You know what I...
Spring forward and sip these refreshingly seasonal cocktails
Daylight savings time may rob us of an hour this weekend, but it brings those longer days we’ve missed all winter. Before you tackle spring cleaning or other seasonal chores, enjoy a colorful, garden-inspired cocktail or two from Fine Wine and Good Spirits. Sparkling Grapefruit & Rose 2 ounces Ketel...
Travel tip: Tour Northwestern Pennsylvania maple sugarhouses
One sure sign that spring is coming is when the maple sap starts flowing, and farmers tap their trees to begin the syrup-making process. The Northwest Pennsylvania Maple Syrup Producers Association has scheduled its 16th annual Maple Taste & Tour Weekend for March 14-15, including free tours of working regional...
Living with Children: Handling bullies
Question: We homeschooled our son through the sixth grade. This past fall, per his wishes, we sent him to a public school for the seventh grade. Last week, he was attacked by the class bully. This other child pushed our son to the ground, called him vile names, and threatened...
Start sowing now for arugula crop
Arugula is a salad green that adds a punch of peppery spice to salads. It’s also surprisingly delicious cooked. While you may think it’s difficult to grow simply for the fact that the word “gourmet” is often associated with it, arugula is quite easy to grow in home gardens, raised...
100 dishes and drinks every Western Pa. foodie should try
Food, glorious food. We all have our favorite foods, favorite meals, favorite restaurants. We offer up a challenge to expand your horizons and possibly your waistbands — the Trib 100 Foodie Challenge. How many of these 100 meals can you sample? Compiled with input from readers and the newsroom, The...
Owner of Kennywood Park, Idlewild and Sandcastle opening support office in Pittsburgh
The owner of three of Pittsburgh’s amusement parks is opening a support facility here in March. Palace Entertainment, which owns Kennywood Park in West Mifflin, as well as Idlewild & SoakZone in Ligonier and Sandcastle Waterpark in Homestead, is moving some operations from Newport Beach, Calif., to a temporary spot...
Move the clocks forward and spring into longer daysVideo
Losing an hour of sleep is the price to pay for gaining a later period of daylight. Daylight savings time begins at 2 a.m. March 8. Move the clocks forward and enjoy driving home after work without headlights. Send the kids out to play before — and after — dinner....
Eclectic mix highlights annual Kerr Museum Antique Show
Twenty-five antiques dealers representing eight states will set up shop March 13-15 at Oakmont Country Club for the 16th annual Kerr Memorial Museum Antique Show. The show and sale featuring furnishings, fine arts and decorative pieces from the 18th to 20th centuries is the major fundraiser for the Oakmont museum...
Gardeners, trees share inescapable connection
I’m not sure when I first noticed the late afternoon sun illuminating the orange bark of a tall, beautiful Scotch pine that overlooked the vegetable garden, probably about 20 years ago. There’s a chair in the corner of the garden that I would use at the end of the day....
Asexual plant propagation explained
Question: What is it about plants that makes it possible for you to grow them from a cutting rather than having to always start them from seed? I’m planning to expand my garden this season and want to grow a ton of new plants from cuttings and divide the plants...
Wisconsin hosts largest technical dairy competition in world
MADISON, Wis. — The largest technical cheese, butter and yogurt competition in the world started Tuesday in Wisconsin, with a record 3,667 entries from 26 nations. The 55 judges taste, sniff and inspect the 132 classes of dairy products during the biennial World Championship Cheese Contest. The judges include cheese...
Norwin Lions hold sweet fundraiser to help students in need
Editor’s note: Because of the coronavirus pandemic, the Norwin Lions Club announced that its Cubcake Wars event has been canceled. Checks will be returned in the next week or so, planners add. Donations to the Kitty Sack Project are still being accepted via Norwin Lions, 3 Worthy Lane, Jeannette, Pa.,...
Make these classic chocolate eclairs at home
Do you dare to eclair? Eclairs used to seem like one of those unattainable pastries — something you had no choice but to pay $8 for in a fancy French patisserie in New York or Europe if you wanted to cure your craving. Why, they simply couldn’t be made at...
Pittsburgh Home and Garden Show is a sure sign of spring
Over nearly four decades, The Duquesne Light Pittsburgh Home and Garden Show has grown to be the place to go before shopping for improvements or new additions to the home. John DeSantis, the show’s executive director, has been leading the charge in providing the people to help make those projects...
All Star Craft Beer, Wine & Cocktail Festival returns to PNC Park
The All Star Craft Beer, Wine & Cocktail Festival returns June 27 to PNC Park on Pittsburgh’s North Shore. Along with samples of more than 200 craft beers, wines and cocktails from local, national and international vendors both in the park and on Federal Street, festival-goers will have the opportunity...
Top Tips From the Wine Cellar: 6 ‘ABC’ whites to try
Living in the north this time of year, it’s easy to become antsy as stubborn Old Man Winter hangs around outside. For a good antidote, embrace the moment as a perfect opportunity to expand your white wine horizons. Use the tried and true “ABC” approach — “Anything But Chardonnay.” Chardonnay...
Ligonier invites visitors to take a walk, raise a glass
For the third year, the Ligonier Valley Chamber of Commerce will host its annual Wine Walk, inviting visitors to check out the downtown’s offerings while sampling wine and other treats. The event will be held from 1-5 p.m. May 9, and this year features Keystone state wineries, wine creations from...
