More Lifestyles category, Page 65
Westmoreland Historical Society plans house tour, cocktail party
The Westmoreland Historical Society is offering a first-ever inside view of the restored Hon. John B. Steel House (circa 1910-12), now part of the Westmoreland History Center at Historic Hanna’s Town in Hempfield. Two period rooms on the first floor and second-floor staff offices will be the setting for the...
Blackburn Center seeks Red Sand Project volunteers
The Blackburn Center will again sponsor the Red Sand Project to raise awareness about human trafficking, and is seeking volunteers to assist with installation. An art installation created by artist Molly Gochman, the project asks volunteers around the world to place red sand in sidewalk cracks. The grains of sand...
Brewers’ special collaborations key to Greensburg Craft Beer Week
Greensburg Craft Beer Week is a nine-day, multi-venue event showcasing breweries, restaurants, local businesses and more through craft beer-centric events and community involvement throughout the Greensburg area. This year, events run from Sept. 20 to 28. Each year, Greensburg Craft Beer Week grows larger and offers more exciting events than...
New study shows optimists live longer
As Monty Python says: “Always look on the bright side of life.” Turns out, those funny Brits hit upon a very healthy outlook. A new analysis of two previous studies shows that optimists have a better chance of reaching age 85 and older. “A lot of evidence suggests that exceptional...
Dunkin’ delivers donations – and gifts – to regional sheltersVideo
In recognition of National Dog Day, Dunkin’ is helping out area animal shelters with donations of cash, bandanas and staff treats. On Aug. 26, Alivia Chapla of the Savvy Group in Pittsburgh, representing regional Dunkin’ franchisee Heartland Restaurant Group, delivered a $500 donation to the Humane Society of Westmoreland County...
Creative spaces are often works in progress
How do you create a space conducive to creative thinking? A number of recent books explore the working environments of creative people in search of hints and inspiration. “They’re not highly produced spaces. They are spaces that reflect the real lives of people,” says Ted Vadakan, co-author with Angie Myung...
Brandywine Conservancy preserving legacy of Penguin CourtVideo
Penguin Court, the former family home of the late Tribune-Review publisher, Richard M. Scaife, is now a preserve of Brandywine Conservancy. Located off Route 30 in Laughlintown, the more than 1,000 acres of forest, meadow and open space, including Thomas Road Farm, represent one of Scaife’s bequests. Staff now care...
Husband will only get off the couch for his guy friends
Dear Carolyn: Before we married, my husband and I enjoyed doing fun stuff together. Now, he just wants to watch TV or play video games. When he does leave the couch, it’s to play poker or basketball with his guy friends. He NEVER helps me around the house unless I’ve...
Living with Children: Couple turned down by adoption agency
Question: A Christian (but very liberal) adoption agency recently turned down our application because they disapprove of our parenting approach, which is your parenting approach. We told them we subscribe to your philosophy and do things like sending the kids to bed early due to whining and tantrums. They said...
Dunkin’ prepping for pups on sweet ‘National Dog Day’
In recognition of National Dog Day — Aug. 26 — Dunkin’ franchisees in Western Pennsylvania will give dogs a free custom bandana with a purchase. That’s if they bring along their owners at store drive-throughs. Also on Monday, Dunkin’ will provide five regional animal shelters with donations of cash, bandanas...
Web debate: Is this a raven or a rabbit?
Here we go again. Is the dress blue or white? Is the voice saying “yanny” or “laurel”? Another question is plaguing mankind. Scientist Dan Quintana shared an optical illusion video on Twitter last week that went viral while simultaneously sending many users ranting “raven” and down the rabbit hole trying...
Swim and dine with man’s best friend and Youngwood Dog Club
As the dog days of summer wind down, dog owners whose pups enjoy a little pool time can bring their furry friends to Youngwood Dog Club’s “Doggy Swim Day.” The second annual event will be held at noon Sept. 7 at Youngwood Park & Pool, says Rodney Little, club president....
On-site pampering glams up HealthPlex mammograms
Although most women understand its importance, scheduling their annual mammogram is not something they anticipate in the way they might a relaxing massage or a soothing paraffin hand treatment. One area hospital is looking to change that. Women who make an appointment for the upcoming HealthPlex Imaging “Mamm & Glamm”...
Master gardeners host monarch migration celebration
Children ages 5 to 12 are invited to learn about the fascinating world of monarch butterflies as Westmoreland County Master Gardeners host a “Monarch Migration Celebration.” The free event will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 7 at Penn State Extension’s Donohoe Center, 214 Donohoe Road, Hempfield....
Ask a designer: Choosing the right rug for the room
A warm, cozy rug can make a room look and feel more appealing on even the chilliest fall night. And the right rug can be a source of comfort year-round. “They’re also great in the summer, if you think about it, because your shoes are off, you’re in your shorts,...
Traditional procession held at Bloomfield’s Little Italy DaysVideo
The tradition continued on Sunday. After an Italian Mass was celebrated at St. Maria Goretti Church in Bloomfield, the statue “The Madonna della Civita” was carried from that worship site to a sister church on Liberty Avenue. Members of the congregation formed a procession behind men carrying the statue of...
What to do if your dog gets bitten by a snake on a hike
It’s been the summer of the snake for one man. We met a couple of weeks ago, via a business transaction. We got to talking about shared interests, among them hiking. He roams the woods with his two dogs, at least one of which tops 100 pounds. The places he...
Living with Children: Teach your preschool kids manners
Short questions I’ve been asked of late (mostly by journalists) and proportionately short answers: Question: Is there a single most important thing parents should be teaching during their children’s preschool years? Answer: The most important thing parents should teach is proper manners. The second and third most important things are...
Cousin doesn’t know she’s a sperm-donor child
Dear Carolyn: My mother conceived both my brother and me using a sperm donor. This information was never kept from us, and my mother has spoken openly about it throughout our lives. My stepdad adopted us. Recently, I was discussing taking an ancestry test and my mother revealed to me...
7 compact plants perfect for small pollinator gardens
Gardens can be really beautiful places, full of color and interest, that bring peace and joy to those who tend and visit them. But, gardens can also serve purposes far beyond their beauty. Gardens can foster and support pollinators and other insects, increase local biodiversity and provide food and shelter...
It’s that time of year: Back-to-school shopping
Classes begin shortly for students, but there is something worth studying before the first bell rings. Doing research on what to buy for back-to-school can help save money. According to the National Retail Federation, which follows and supports the retail industry, the average household is expected to spend $685 on...
Remedies for fungus gnats on philodendrons
Question: I was given a Philodedron scandens oxycardium. The original plant was around 20 years old, was divided, and I was given 1/3 of it. The plant is in a container and weighs about 150 lbs. It is outside on a screen in porch that gets the morning sun. It...
Fairy tale castle is back on the market for $1.5M
This fairy tale castle doesn’t come with a prince but it does include a singer from “The Voice.” Andrew Sevener, a finalist from “The Voice,” will be performing a free concert on the grounds of an iconic castle home in Kuna, Idaho. View this post on Instagram I’m getting married...
Tajz-Mahal Makerspace opens in Connellsville library
A Scottdale woman will continue her late son’s mission with this week’s opening of the Tajz-Mahal Makerspace in Connellsville’s Carnegie Free Library. Earlier this summer, Antonette Dues began fund raising for the nonprofit organization she has established in her son Tajz Dues’ memory: Tajz’s Hope Foundation. Dues, 28, died on...
‘Competitive readers’ duke it out in Battle of the Books
There is no skimming for the 29 teams competing in Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh’s Battle of the Books. Teams of three to five people need to read — thoroughly — the list of books “assigned” each year. “The questions are really hard,” says Dan Hensley, the library’s adult programming coordinator....
