Lifestyles category, Page 83
Sparse yet inspirational, Fort Mose is site of nation’s 1st legally sanctioned free Black settlement
ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. — Behind every state park, there is a story. Sometimes it’s a crazy story, really, like that of Fort Mose, almost hidden away in a tangled forest of scrub palmetto, oak and pine along U.S. Highway 1 just north of St. Augustine. Crazy, in that not many...
For food lovers, Valentine’s Day is a time for indulgences
Pandemic Valentine’s Day No. 2… are we having fun yet? Some folks will be heading to restaurants for romantic, socially distanced dinners (oh, life these days is filled with oxymorons). But many of us will be hunkering down at home, celebrating our partnerships (or friends or roommates) as best we...
Food trucks galore, craft beer, whiskey on tap for Lower Burrell fire department events
After a successful run of four food truck rallies last year, Lower Burrell Volunteer Fire Company No. 3 will present four new events this year featuring food trucks, craft beer and whiskey, and arts and crafts. When the covid-19 pandemic quashed most fire companies’ fundraisers — a necessity for the...
Suds in the sanctuary: Breweries populate vacant U.S. churches
Bruce Lindsay never expected to own a church. But when his mother died shortly before the pandemic, he wanted to use his inheritance to do something extraordinary. “My mother, if she were alive today, I think would have a great chuckle at what I’ve purchased,” said Lindsay. “I found myself...
The Speckled Egg, Commonplace Coffee team to share space in SouthSide Works
Coffee and eggs. It’s what for breakfast in SouthSide Works Town Center on Pittsburgh’s South Side. Commonplace Coffee and The Speckled Egg are collaborating on 6,120 square feet of space located on 27th Street. The businesses have agreed to a 10-year lease. “It’s the best of both worlds,” said Jacqueline...
5 things to do in Westmoreland County: Feb. 4-6
Read his mind A few seats remain for a concert by Canadian troubadour Gordon Lightfoot at 8 p.m. Friday at The Palace Theatre in Greensburg. In a career spanning more than 50 years, the singer/songwriter has produced a string of hits including “If You Could Read My Mind,” “Carefree Highway,”...
Cure cabin fever with a number of outside activities in Western Pennsylvania
When winter comes, many of us tend to hunker down and get cozy inside. The Scandinavian cold-weather hygge lifestyle has been popular in recent years — cuddling up in fuzzy sweaters and blankets, making a cup of tea and a pot of soup, reading a book or watching a movie,...
Sheetz vying for best regional fast food in USA Today reader poll
We know how much you love your Sheetz shnacks and shweets. Now is your chance to let the rest of the country know how good they are. The Altoona-based convenience store chain has been selected by USA Today as a finalist for this year’s Best Regional Fast Food Reader’s Choice...
Saint Vincent walks attract birdwatchers in fair or foul weather
The rough “chip” of the cardinal and the “potato chip, potato chip” call of the American goldfinch were among sounds that pierced the winter sky Wednesday morning during a bird walk at the Winnie Palmer Nature Reserve in Unity. Before leading a group of about 15 Saint Vincent College students...
DIY or call a professional: Which is right for your remodel?
A do-it-yourself remodel can be a budget-friendly way to freshen up your home. For some projects, it may take just a few YouTube videos to show you how to modernize your space. But not every project is right for amateur renovators. Your skill level, budget and how important the project...
Showy amaryllis makes a perfect Valentine’s plant or gift
Easter has lilies. Thanksgiving has gourds. Christmas has poinsettias. And Valentine’s Day should have amaryllis. For the uninitiated, amaryllises are big bulbs that can produce among the biggest and showiest flowers a gardener can grow indoors (maybe outdoors too). Best of all, water and a bit of light is all...
For Super Bowl entertaining, make room for melty hot dips
In the coldest months, we all look for bright spots, and football fans this winter have had plenty. The Super Bowl (on Feb. 13) is always a dead-of-winter highlight. And while gatherings might be smaller than in pre-pandemic years, we can still pull out the stops with snacks and food....
Love of coffee and art yields creative exhibit in Freeport
Two friends from Freeport use their complementary knowledge and talents to open a coffee shop. Two friends from Sarver push each other to develop their individual artistic talents. One of the artists and one of the shop owners also are friends, and therein lies a tale. Freeport residents Virginia Lindsay...
Peter Pan-themed pop-up bar follows the Tipsy Elf in Greenfield
The pop-up bar next to Hough’s Taproom & Brewpub in Greenfield will go from being decorated in sparkling lights to being decorated with pixie dust. The Tipsy Elf, a Christmas-themed pop-up bar that occupied the space during the holiday season, will be transformed into Neverland, a Peter Pan-inspired pop-up bar,...
Holey leaves and vines! A look at houseplant trends for 2022
After the houseplant heyday of the 1970s, the penchant for potted green companions faded with all but the most dedicated plant parents. But over the past decade, as many young adults began filling their homes — and social media feeds — with indoor plants, a cross-generational audience started to take...
Pandemic-era design solution from the past: The Murphy bed
When the vast majority of your life is happening within the four walls of your home, every square foot counts. So the past two years have inspired some serious, space-saving creativity. “Everybody all of a sudden was just surrounded by their environment, just sort of thinking, ‘If I’m going to...
Out & About: Members’ ‘Ah-Ha!’ show opens at Greensburg Art Center
The day’s arctic chill was no deterrent to attendance at Saturday’s opening reception for “Ah-Ha!”, a members’ exhibition at Greensburg Art Center. With the center’s parking lot full, attendees had to trek to the gallery after finding spaces in the surrounding neighborhood. The draw was the opportunity to view works...
Burnin’ love: Wood-fired pizza at Gus Franco’s of Lower Burrell is hot itemVideo
Orders at Gus Franco’s Pizza should be made in advance because the artisan pies are hot — real hot. Boasting a top-of-the-line, wood-fired pizza oven from Italy, Gus Franco’s sizzles dough with an air temperature reaching 900 degrees, which is more than 100 degrees higher than many commercial pizza ovens....
‘It’s hip to be square’ at Valkyrie Doughnuts in Bellevue, a vegan bakery
Square doughnuts? At Valkyrie Doughnuts in Bellevue, they strive to be different. That begins with not making round-shaped offerings and it ends with not-your-typical ingredients, either. The shop, which opened two months ago, features square-shaped treats that are plant-based — no egg or dairy products. They also use soy flour....
5 things to do in Westmoreland County: Jan. 21-23
Boogie (some) more Southern rock fans, don’t flirt with disaster by missing Molly Hatchet at 7 p.m. Friday at The Lamp Theatre in Irwin. Formed in Florida in 1971, the band had its heyday in the late 1970s and early 1980s, releasing the platinum-selling hit records, “Molly Hatchet” in 1978,...
Phipps Conservatory orchid, bonsai show highlights prized collections
An orchid that recently was awarded the American Orchid Society’s Certificate of Cultivation Excellence is among specimens displayed in “Orchid and Bonsai Show: An Ocean of Color,” running through March 6 at Phipps Conservatory. “Plants receiving this award represent the highest level of orchid culture,” said Adam Haas, interpretive program...
Resolutions for a generous and green new year in the gardenVideo
Something miraculous happens to gardeners at this time of year. I don’t know what triggers it. Perhaps it was the sight of Christmas trees and lights, or the presence of all those poinsettias. Whatever the cause, by January, gardeners have let go of last year’s gardens and start to dream...
New eateries on menu for latest Greensburg Restaurant Week
Good food isn’t all that’s on the menu for Greensburg Restaurant Week, which takes place Jan. 24-30. Diners also will have chances to win free food and merchandise by ordering from the special menus at 18 participating area eateries. New on the restaurant list this year are El Diablo Brewing...
Pots and perches to show off your houseplants in style
Houseplants have been keeping a lot of us company during the pandemic, and the good news is there’s a plant for any home, big or small, well-lit or not. There’s also a virtual jungle of stylish containers in which to show them off. “I love incorporating plants into our interior...
Nancy B’s Bakery owner in West Homestead dies
The Pittsburgh cookie table community is a little less sweet today. The city lost Nancy Bertram Runco, owner of Nancy B’s Bakery in West Homestead. She died at 11:36 p.m. Monday from an infection, according to her son, Michael Runco. She was 78. “I was so lucky to work with...
