Mary Pickels stories, Page 10

Growing up in Greensburg, John McMenamin recalls spending his spare time acting and directing plays at the former Cabaret Theatre in Hempfield. The graduate of Greensburg Central Catholic High School and Saint Vincent College says a performance by the late Harry Chapin at his college alma mater inspires him to...

When Lori Ball was diagnosed with ovarian cancer shortly before Christmas 2015, it rocked her and her family’s world. The North Huntingdon resident recalls preparing herself to do battle with her illness, and anticipating a hospital team providing a “holistic approach.” Following surgery, and throughout 18 weeks of chemotherapy, Ball,...

In advance of its annual Best Buddies TasteBuds event, which pairs Pittsburgh area chefs with a Buddy sous chef, 14 Buddies spent Oct. 5 at Rivendale Farms for an educational tour of the Bulger, Washington County, farm. Rivendale Farms’ executive chef, Daniele Brenci, will be among the chefs helping their...

Grammy-winning Dan + Shay — Wexford native Dan Smyers and musical partner Shay Mooney — will head out in 2020 on their first headlining arena tour, stopping at PPG Paints Arena in September. The 35-plus date tour, presented by AEG Presents, kicks off on March 6, 2020, at Bridgestone Arena...

One day before The Westmoreland Museum of American Art’s annual Big Art Party, the featured artist spent Friday conducting workshops for art students at Greensburg Salem High School. The Westmoreland’s current exhibit, “Era of Cool: The Art of John Van Hamersveld,” continues through Oct. 20. Van Hamersveld is perhaps best...

The days are getting shorter, the evenings cooler and fall activities are ramping up. From musical performances to amusement parks and farm festivals, Westmoreland County offers a lengthy potential “to do” list this weekend. Get outdoors and enjoy Indian summer, then head indoors for some culture. And maybe enjoy a...

From cider to dumplings to bags full of fruit for crunching and baking, the Delmont Apple ‘n Arts Festival signals the return of autumn flavors. This year marks the festival’s 37th anniversary, and the 112th anniversary of its apple press, says Brandy Walters, festival communications and marketing director. Opening ceremonies...

Following a five-year break, Avril Lavigne is back on tour, taking her sixth studio album, “Head Above Water,” out on the road, including a planned Pittsburgh stop. Lavigne, 35, first drew attention in 2002 while a teenager with the hit singles and videos “Complicated” and “Sk8er Boi” from the album...

“Peanuts,” the comic strip full of relatable characters for most of us, turns 69 today. In nearly 70 years, multiple generations have come to love and continue to love the story of a boy, his dog Snoopy, his friends and a little bird called Woodstock. Everyone has a know-it-all like...

Growing up in Australia, in those dark, pre-television days, Ron Campbell spent many a weekend with pals in movie theaters. He had no inkling at the time that a light was about to dawn on his future career. Campbell became known worldwide for his animation on The Beatles’ “Yellow Submarine,”...

There are smiles and laughter all around as two dozen people gather to decorate Halloween pumpkins, enjoy fun-size candy bars and prepare and share a meal. The setting may be a bit unusual — the Frank Kapr Funeral Home Family Center in Scottdale. This second session of a new, locally...

Go karting with a twist is how organizers describe the Mushroom Rally experience, in which drivers can don their favorite costumes and race around a themed track, competing for prizes. The competition will be held at 9 and 11 a.m. and 1, 3, 5 and 7 p.m. Sept. 28-29 and...