More Lifestyles category, Page 29
Hallelujah! The remarkable story behind this joyful word
It begins with the violins — orderly and baroque. The choir rises. The audience rises. And before you know it, the concert hall, church, rec center or school auditorium fills with the triumphant sound of one of the most beloved musical works of the season: Handel’s “Hallelujah” chorus. Over the...
Practical presents: These gifts serve needs without taking up space
If you’re running out of time to find that special gift for that special someone, this could be the year when the thing to give is not a thing at all. As Christmas bears down upon us, here are a few ideas for practical gifts that can make life easier...
Fresh-cut Christmas trees in short supply this season
Where are the fresh-cut Christmas trees? That’s what some Alle-Kiski Valley businesses are asking as fresh-cut trees are in short supply — or completely sold out. A large vacant lot has been empty for weeks at Kiski Garden Center in Allegheny Township. In previous years, it still would be offering...
Kennywood investing in new look for 125th birthday
The planning has begun. Kennywood is preparing for a really, really big party. The West Mifflin amusement park turns 125 years old on Dec. 18, 2023. And it wants to look its best. Like most celebrations, in order to be ready for the soiree, the park will need time to...
Porch pirates love this time of year. Here are some tips to protect your packages
With an estimated $207 billion expected to be spent online by shoppers this holiday season and a record 20 billion parcels shipped to U.S. addresses last year, it’s not a surprise that thieves see all those packages on the porch as opportunity, too. Most people don’t report stolen deliveries to...
What’s your religion? In U.S., a common reply now is ‘None’
Nathalie Charles, even in her mid-teens, felt unwelcome in her Baptist congregation, with its conservative views on immigration, gender and sexuality. So she left. “I just don’t feel like that gelled with my view of what God is and what God can be,” said Charles, an 18-year-old of Haitian descent...
Resale is making gains in December holiday gift shopping
NEW YORK — Second hand. Like new. Thrift. Buy Nothing. Gently used. There are lots of ways to describe consumption in the booming resale market. Add “Merry Christmas!” to the list. Resale has taken off among those looking to save the planet and spend less on gifts during what can...
Time to finish: Deadline approaching to get gifts under the tree by Christmas
Hey procrastinators: If you think you’ve still got plenty of time to shop for Christmas and get those gifts mailed so they’ll be under the tree come Christmas morning, think again. There are only a few days left if shoppers want to ensure that gifts will arrive on time, and...
5 things to do in Westmoreland County: Dec. 10-12
Mac attack If you’re a Fleetwood Mac fan, you need to get yourself to the Lamp Theatre this weekend. Tusk, the band billing itself as “The Number One Tribute to Fleetwood Mac,” will play shows at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the downtown Irwin venue. Tusk promises note-for-note renditions...
Newly reaccredited National Aviary boasts seasonal activities
The National Aviary has received an early Christmas gift, with renewed accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Glad tidings from the facility on Pittsburgh’s North Side also include the return of special holiday events after a hiatus in 2020 due to the pandemic. “AZA accreditation is the gold...
White or multicolored holiday lights? Trib readers have strong preferences
Joe Weltner’s 90-year-old grandmother still tells the story. Back in the day, she and her husband were driving the grandkids around to look at the neighborhood Christmas decorations. From the back seat, young Joe — probably 6 at the time — was heard to mutter, “I hate white lights.” “From...
Best time to trim that tree? Whenever the holiday spirit moves you
These days, you often find Christmas decorations next to Halloween candy in the stores. In May, Better Homes & Gardens magazine made a case for decorating early. Among the reasons: • The decorations evoke feelings of nostalgia, excitement and happiness (harking back to childhood). • They foster feelings of coziness...
5 things to do in Westmoreland County: Dec. 3-5
Getting a message to you The music of the Bee Gees is stayin’ alive with a tribute group called The New York Bee Gees, playing at 8 p.m. Friday in The Palace Theatre in Greensburg. The New York-based band includes musicians who have played with renowned acts including The Alan...
Food Network baking champs to judge The Block Northway’s gingerbread house display
The inaugural holiday gingerbread house display at The Block Northway in Ross has been a sweet surprise for organizers. Not only did it draw more than 65 entries, but it also will be visited by two television baking champions. Pittsburgh-area pastry chefs Daniel Wilson and Marla Mae Harvey, recent winners...
Greensburg Garden Center crafts one-of-a-kind items for holiday sale
You’ve heard of farm-to-table goods, but Greensburg Garden Center members are going yard-to-table for their annual Christmas decor sale. Many of the fresh greens that will be available, along with decorative touches like pine cones and dried flowers that are added to sale items, are sourced from members’ yards. The...
‘Gifts from the Heart’ is Biden White House Christmas theme
WASHINGTON — “Gifts from the Heart” is the theme of President Joe Biden’s first White House Christmas. First lady Jill Biden was scheduled on Monday to unveil decorations matching the theme, said to be inspired by people the couple met as they traveled the country this year. “The things we...
Latrobe’s Holly Jolly event back in person with Santa visit, entertainment
Kids visiting downtown Latrobe on Dec. 4 will find Santa waiting to hear their Christmas wish lists, while people of all ages will be able to enjoy a variety of live music and entertainment. The in-person attractions will begin at 10 a.m., capping three days of activities as the annual...
Owners include pets in holiday fun with treats, toys, photos
Whether they were naughty or nice, nearly 100 furry critters filed in with their pet parents this month to have their photos taken with Santa in Greensburg. The one-day event represented about a 40% increase over similar photo sessions held in pre-pandemic years at the Petagogy pet store. “We usually...
Plumber: Colorful reactions to older toilet color question
Q: Ed: I enjoyed your column on matching a new toilet to a 1970s bathroom where the original toilet color is no longer available. Your advice to go with a white toilet was helpful. What are today’s toilet colors and how do you think they will age? — Ann, Alabama...
5 things to do in Westmoreland County: Nov. 26-28
Holiday rock opera The Wizards of Winter super-group will present the holiday rock opera, “The Christmas Dream,” at 4 and 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Lamp Theatre in Irwin. The 11-member ensemble includes former members of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Def Leppard, Blue Oyster Cult, Rainbow, Trixter and the Ted Nugent...
Greensburg merchants kick off holiday sales by unveiling window displays
Downtown Greensburg merchants rang the curtain up on holiday shopping Monday by unveiling storefront windows specially decorated for the season. The event harkened back to window reveals that once were an eagerly awaited tradition for major department stores in Pittsburgh and other cities. That tradition was revisited in Greensburg last...
It’s back: Kennywood is unretiring the beloved Kangaroo
Sometimes, just sometimes things we wish would come back, do indeed return. The iconic Kangaroo ride at Kennywood will be back for the 2022 season, the park announced Friday. And it will look shinier and newer – it’s been fully refurbished. “Kangaroo is a one-of-a-kind ride that’s perfect for a...
Sewickley Light Up Night returns with fireworks, food, fun for all
Sewickley Borough will celebrate the holiday season with the Dec. 3 return of Light Up Night, following a 2020 hiatus. Activities are scheduled for 5-9 p.m. in the area of Beaver and Broad streets. “We didn’t have Light Up Night last year because of covid, so we’re excited to bring...
Shadyside mansion adorned for Pittsburgh Symphony Association holiday tour
Pittsburgh Symphony Association members weren’t hopeful that they would be able to present their Symphony Splendor Holiday House Tour this year. Then, Scott Cavanaugh and Ron Graham offered their Gilded Age Shadyside mansion for the much-anticipated event. “With the current situation, you can understand that homeowners wouldn’t permit hundreds of...
5 things to do in Westmoreland County: Nov. 12-14
Owl encounter You’ve heard of howling at the moon, but what about “Owling at the Moon”? That’s what will happen from 6-9 p.m. Friday at Powdermill Nature Reserve, 1795 Route 381, Cook Township. Visitors of all ages are invited to the reserve to sip cider and hear stories around a...
