Lifestyles category, Page 146
Out & About: Stars come out for Civic Theatre’s ‘A Starry Night’ gala
Greensburg Civic Theatre’s annual gala always features entertainment provided by talented folks associated with the organization. At “A Starry Night,” held Dec. 11 in the Greensburg Garden and Civic Center, that included scenes from “Disney’s Frozen Jr.,” with three performances scheduled Dec. 20-21 in the civic center’s auditorium. During the...
Design-friendly holiday gifts sure to be loved
Home decor accessories can make great hostess gifts or holiday gifts, but how do you choose something you know the recipient will want? Unless you’re sure of someone’s personal style, it can be hard to choose larger things like vases or candlesticks, says New York-based interior designer Jenny Dina Kirschner....
Out & About: It’s a ‘Swingin’ Christmas Spectacular’ with Glass City
For folks who like Frank Sinatra, big band music and Christmas, Ferrante’s Lakeview was the place to be Dec. 13 for “A Swingin’ Christmas Spectacular” with Glass City Swing Band. Event host was GCSB Arts, Education and Wellness, the band’s sponsoring organization. The band set up in a cheerfully decorated...
Remember When: Dec. 16
100 years ago Robbers load cows on truck and disappear Boldly driving up to the barn of H.C. Moon, near Dorseyville, in an auto truck, thieves went to the stable, collected two cows, loaded them up onto the machine and disappeared. Police warned butchers to question anyone selling livestock. 75...
‘Pioneer Woman’ sticks to her groove with new cookbook
Ree Drummond — known for her Food Network cooking show, “The Pioneer Woman” — won’t follow diet trends to sell cookbooks. “I have found that I have to be authentic to me, otherwise it won’t work. My interest will fizzle. I stay most passionate when it’s something that’s really going...
Flavors of the season dominate holiday cocktails
When preparing holiday cocktails for friends and family, make the bar cart extra special by offering recipes such as Snowflake Martini, Blitzen’s Bubbles and Vanilla Pear Sangria. Fine Wine and Good Spirits is dreaming up concoctions with eye and flavor appeal, just right for chasing away those cold winter temps....
Travel tip: Visit Santa’s ‘official hometown’ in Rovaniemi, Finland
Where is Santa on the 364 nights of the year when he’s not delivering gifts? At home in Rovaniemi, Finland, the self-proclaimed “Official Hometown of Santa Claus.” Travelers to the remote Arctic Circle city, capital of Finnish Lapland, will find themselves immersed in a winter wonderland where snow falls from...
Living with Children: What is co-dependency?
“You’ve accused mothers of being in co-dependent relationships with their children,” she (a journalist) said, then asked, “What is co-dependency, exactly, and how does it apply to today’s mothers?” Great question! One that cuts right to the core of America’s parenting problem. A co-dependent relationship consists of a well-intentioned enabler...
Before you travel, take steps to ensure a happy homecoming
People tend to spend a lot of time planning their holiday travel but not a lot preparing for their return home. But returning to a mess — minor bummers like an empty fridge or stinking garbage can, or major problems like frozen pipes — can make it difficult to savor...
Great greens for starting early in the season
I know spring seems so far away, but now is a great time to start planning your veggie garden for the coming season. Before you know it, March will be here and it will be time to plant cool-season crops such as peas, lettuce, radish and greens. Today, I’d like...
Ring in 2020 at the Quality Inn ballroom in New Kensington
Welcome 2020 in style. The grand ballroom inside the Quality Inn in New Kensington will be dressed up for a festive New Year’s Eve celebration. The event has returned after several years’ hiatus thanks to Brenda and Daniel Leo of Leechburg, owners of the food and beverage and banquet facilities...
Winter classes, activities help dogs (and their people) fight cabin feverVideo
Cabin fever — it’s not just for humans. Your canine companion might feel cooped up during the wintertime, too, when snow covers the yard, sidewalks are icy and temperatures fall below freezing. Who wants to go out for a walk in those conditions? Even a well-trained dog might get a...
Bring spring indoors early — very early — by forcing bulbs
Daffodils sitting on a windowsill against a backdrop of white snow make a fragrant and pretty midwinter scene. This picture, with bulbs “forced” for early bloom, takes planning that should start now. Choose plump, fresh-looking bulbs from those now on display at garden centers, hardware stores and supermarkets. Prep the...
Grow fresh herbs on your windowsill all winter long
Question: I’d like to grow some herbs on my windowsill in my kitchen this winter. Can I use any herbs, or do they have to be a special type for growing indoors? Any tips for success? Answer: Herbs are some of the easiest plants to grow in containers and many...
10 plants sure to please this holiday season
There was a time when poinsettias, paperwhites and amaryllis were the only three traditional plants being offered for the holidays. The details of growing and enjoying those plants are covered below, but there are some other interesting things to grow indoors for this festive season. There’s nothing wrong with the...
New Western Pennsylvania Food Guide ready for ordering
The 2020 Western PA Local Food Guide, a directory of farmers markets, restaurants, wineries, retail stores and other businesses that produce or support local food in the region, will be available before the new year. Orders can be placed for free delivery by visiting constantcontact.com. It also can be downloaded...
Downtown Greensburg merchants host holiday open house
Merchants in downtown Greensburg will hold their 51st Annual Downtown Greensburg Holiday Open House and Customer Appreciation Day from noon to 5 p.m. Dec. 15. Mary Wilmes, owner of Penelope’s gift shop on South Pennsylvania Avenue, says the store has participated in the event for over 30 years. “At least...
Cranberry Ricotta Cake makes holiday mornings merry
When is cake an acceptable breakfast choice? When it’s Christmas or New Year’s, or brunch anytime, or basically any day in December. There’s nothing like this incredibly delicious cranberry-streaked cake to make your whole Christmas season feel special. The ricotta cheese makes this recipe super moist and the plentiful cranberries...
No-bake wreaths make simple addition to holiday cookie tray
Corn flake cereal gets all dressed up for the holidays with these super cute and easy no-bake wreath Christmas cookies. All you need is 5 ingredients and about 15 minutes, and you’ll have dozens of adorable little wreaths ready to serve on their own, or add to any holiday cookie...
Holiday foods you love to hate can actually be delicious
Since 1913, when the first one was mail-ordered in the U.S., fruitcake has been the symbol of the holiday gift you give away as soon as you receive it. The weighty brown cake, studded with neon colored chunks of fruit that could decorate a house if they were strung alongside...
Pittsburgh pastry chef recalls stint on holiday baking showVideo
Fairmont Pittsburgh pastry chef Dwight Penney is home for the holidays, after being eliminated Dec. 9 from Food Network’s Holiday Baking Championship. Penney, 30, of Dormont, was among 10 original bakers competing for a chance to win $25,000 and the title of Holiday Baking Champion on the popular show’s sixth...
Amid the holiday hustle and bustle, take time to care for yourself
This is supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year, but often it’s the most stressful. “The season to be merry is also the season for stress and anxiety,” says Jyl Glunt, a health and wellness specialist at the Excela Health Well-Being Center-Mind Body Health. “Shopping, decorating, parties,...
Plant-based Beyond Burger now available at all Sheetz stores
The plant-based Beyond Burger is now available at all 597 Sheetz store locations, making Sheetz the first continental U.S. convenience chain to offer the plant-based burger in partnership with Beyond Meat. The burger is “a protein packed, 100% plant-based meat option but with the same delicious taste and texture of...
Out & About: Candlelit ‘Dinner for 8’ thanks Hanna’s Town volunteers
A group of people who usually serve others were thanked for their efforts during Westmoreland Historical Society’s annual Dinner for Eight, held Dec. 3 in the tavern at Historic Hanna’s Town in Hempfield. Dinners were a core group of volunteers who assist in various ways at the ever-expanding complex, which...
Out & About: Westmoreland Society chooses 2 pieces for the museum
The permanent collection of The Westmoreland Museum of American Art is increasing by two pieces, courtesy of the Westmoreland Society. During their annual dinner Dec. 6 in the Greensburg facility, members voted to purchase “Divine Plan,” a 2003 mixed-media piece by Tina Williams Brewer, and “Flourish,” an oil on canvas...
