Lifestyles category, Page 175
Gay square dancers add new spin to centuries-old dance style
PHILADELPHIA — There wasn’t a crinoline in sight as 850 square dancers at the International Association of Gay Square Dance Clubs opened its annual convention last week in a Philadelphia hotel, bringing their best promenades and do-si-dos to a slightly sped-up version of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” Correction: There was...
Outer Banks lowers speed limits as tourists arrive
Speed limits on some roads have been reduced as tourist season begins in the Outer Banks. The North Carolina Department of Transportation on Tuesday announced a drop in posted speed limits on two roads. The National Park Service requested the slower traffic between Avon and Buxton and between Hatteras and...
Kecksburg, investigator inspire Helltown’s ‘Aliens’ beer
Helltown Taproom will ponder the unexplained with local paranormal investigator Stan Gordon and hold an early release party for its new beer with a two-night event this month at its 5578 Old William Penn Highway, Export, location. The event is billed as “Kecksburg and Beyond: Two Nights of Paranormal Pa....
Greek yogurt creates creamy, spice-infused salad dressing
Fresh, juicy summer tomatoes make a great salad, so we set out to create one with complementary flavors and a creamy dressing. Tomatoes exude lots of liquid when cut, which can quickly turn a salad into soup. To get rid of some of the tomato juice without losing all the...
Restaurant noise levels affect dining experience, studies show
Moments after the award-winning Detroit noodle shop Ima opened its doors for lunch on a recent Monday, a decibel meter perched high on a ledge above the dining room hovered around 70 decibels, about the same level of noise intensity as a working dishwasher. Electronic music thrummed through two adjacent...
5 things not to miss at the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix
The Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix traditionally honors one make of car as its Marque of the Year during the world-class summer motorsport event held in and around Schenley Park in Oakland. For this year’s 37th PVGP through July 21, benefiting the Autism Society of Pittsburgh and Merakey Allegheny Valley School,...
Follow the Tour de France route with a wine-tasting journey
Europe’s most famous and challenging professional bicycle race, the Tour de France, kicked off this week. Until July 28, the Tour involves individual daily races called “stages” that occur over challenging, diverse routes in regions throughout France. Along the way, racers pedal through some of France’s top wine-growing appellations. Enjoying...
Fort Ligonier, Idlewild, Rizzo’s star in Westmoreland County board game
From Historic Hanna’s Town to Bridgeport Dam, Seton Hill University to the Original Pie Shoppe, regional landmarks pop up all over the new Westmoreland County-Opoly board game. Created by Late for the Sky Production Co. in May and available only at Walmart, the game sells for $19.98. Late for the...
Regional Trail Corporation plans poker run fundraiser
The Westmoreland Yough Trail Chapter of the Regional Trail Corporation will hold its annual poker run on Labor Day, Sept. 2. The walking/biking non-competitive event starts in West Newton at the Arthur H. King Access Area of the Great Allegheny Passage. Registration begins at 8 a.m., event starts at 8:30...
Bloom Brew taps ‘Forged on the Yough Brew Festival’
Bloom Brew, at 100 Riverside Drive, West Newton, will host “Forged on the Yough Brew Festival” for what it calls a showcase of Westmoreland County talent. Downtown West Newton is event sponsor. The event from 1 to 4 p.m. July 28 will feature 10 “liquid artists,” outdoor recreation vendors Joe’s...
Wildlife Works needs more helping hands
It’s the busy baby season at Wildlife Works, Inc. in Youngwood. The nonprofit has lots of critters to care for and many hungry mouths to feed. What it’s short on is volunteers, says Monica Leuthold, office manager. College students from the local area often help out during the summer, while...
Out & About: Bushy Run car cruise a lesson in automotive historyVideo
Visitors to Bushy Run Battlefield usually learn a particular kind of history. The 213-acre Penn Township historical complex was the site of a 1763 battle between British soldiers and Native Americans warriors during Pontiac’s Rebellion. On July 6, visitors got a snapshot of the history of the automobile during the...
Out & About: No ifs, ands or butts — goat yoga benefit sells outVideo
People practice yoga not only for the physical benefits, like increased strength and flexibility, but also for the mental and emotional health benefits — like a sense of calm and relaxation and a deeper mind-body connection. So who thought Goat Yoga would be a good idea? Goats aren’t exactly known...
Hello, yellow: Home decor’s upbeat hue should be used right
If ever a color were to be associated with an emotion (OK, blue, we see you), it’s got to be yellow. Upbeat and welcoming, it’s a hue that’s easy to love. But it can be tricky to use when decorating. Bold yellows are eye-catching, but color experts advise caution. Unless...
Husband thinks it’s not ‘his problem’ to help with aging parents
Dear Carolyn: My husband, “John,” is the oldest of three children. His siblings, “Bill” and “Sue,” both live where they all were raised. Both parents are in declining health. Over the years, Sue has taken on the lion’s share of caring for them. She is a nurse, so a logical...
Travel to Cuba is complicated by complex new regulations
Cuba has a mystique about it, so it’s no surprise that myths surround travel there. That may be even truer this month after regulations were changed by the Trump administration. Some of the regulations have been interpreted strictly, some more liberally. Here is our “myth, fact or unclear” primer on...
Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad a kickin’ summer side dish
To say Buffalo chicken dip is addicting is an understatement. I’m not sure I’ve ever been to a potluck where the buff-chick dip didn’t all go — and go fast! I feel confident saying that any one of us well-meaning health conscious adults, would sit down and eat an entire...
4 easy dishes to make with tomatillos
Alligators, Chinese bamboo pit vipers, tomatillos, frogs with sling shots. All of them green. Only three of them dangerous. And while I’d love to pass an idle hour regaling you with harrowing yarns of brushes with cruel death, I guess I’ll write about tomatillos instead. Tomatillos are inexpensive, easy to...
Travel tip: Summer tours available at Allegheny River lighthouse
Why is there a lighthouse in the middle of the Allegheny River in Forest County? Take the July 13 tour of the Sherman Memorial Lighthouse and find out. Hosted by Tionesta Lions Club, the self-guided tour is set for 1-4 p.m. at the 75-foot, privately owned structure located on Lighthouse...
Living with Children: 12-year-old son thinking about suicide
Question: On several occasions over the last six months or so, our 12-year-old son has told us he’s been thinking about suicide. Apparently, he’s been the target of a couple of school bullies and sometimes feels like life is too much. We’ve talked to him, tried to help him express...
Why you should leave aphids alone
I often hear from gardeners who are worried when they discover a few aphids on their favorite rose. While aphids can be troublesome garden pests, especially when their population numbers more than about 12 aphids per square inch, more often than not, aphids aren’t anything to worry about. In fact,...
Civil War weekend slated at Historic Hanna’s Town
Historic Hanna’s Town, a recreation of Westmoreland County’s original 18th century county seat, will experience a time shift in late July as Civil War armies take over the Hempfield site. Visitors will discover the history of the War Between the States as reenactors settle in for a weekend encampment representing...
Staycation destination: Polymath Park in Mt. Pleasant Township
Need a break? Looking for new adventure? There’s no reason to leave Western Pennsylvania. In this occasional series, we highlight “staycation” ideas found in our own backyard. Imagine being able to tour a Frank Lloyd Wright home — it’s easy if you try because Fallingwater is only an hour’s drive...
Out & About: Historic Hanna’s Town provides July 4 history lessonsVideo
Out on the western edge of the Pennsylvania frontier, tiny Hanna’s Town still played a part in the American Revolution. Independence Day visitors to the Hempfield historical site heard about the Hanna’s Town Resolves, a 1775 declaration whereby area residents proclaimed their willingness to take drastic measures — even to...
Ligonier Country Market features rock painting, music
Rock music and rock painting are part of Saturday’s features at Ligonier Country Market. The local acoustic band Super Moon will perform a blend of rock and bluegrass, market planners say. The trio’s material spans Neil Young to Bill Monroe, and ranges from jazzy instrumentals to bluegrass three-part harmony. Instrumentation...
