Shirley McMarlin stories, Page 16

On the Sept. 16-18 opening weekend of Oktoberfest at Penn Brewery in Pittsburgh’s North Side, revelers drank 65 half-barrels of beer — or just over 1,000 gallons. If that sounds like a lot, consider this: At the granddaddy of Oktoberfests in Munich, Germany, about 6 million visitors will down about...

Fresh from her run to the semifinals of “America’s Got Talent” Season 17, Aubrey Burchell is getting back on stage to challenge herself in a new way. The 21-year-old singer from North Huntingdon is playing Rusty in the Actors and Artists of Fayette County production of “Footloose The Musical,” running...

Some say it’s a fashion faux pas to wear white after Labor Day; others say the old rule no longer applies. The topic was subject of a good-natured debate between Jim and Jo Rossi of Ligonier Township during the Westmoreland Croquet Club Tournament. The Rossis were among tent sponsors for...

Painter Mary Cassatt often depicted images of women and children, emphasizing the intimate bonds between mother and child. One such work is “Mother and Two Children,” painted around 1905, which came into the permanent collection of The Westmoreland Museum of American Art via anonymous gift in 1979. It’s a prime...

About 100 guests gathered Friday evening at Westmoreland Country Club in Export for the Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra’s swanky Autumn Rhapsody. For WSO Artistic Director Daniel Meyer, it was an opportunity to mingle with people he usually sees at a distance from his podium on the stage of The Palace Theatre....

Even though his heritage is Polish, Mark Kozelek of Cincinnati attended the Fort Ligonier Cannon Ball in full Scottish regalia. From the Glengarry hat on his head to the brogues on his feet, with kilt and sporran in between, he was the very model of a proper Highlands clansman. “I’m...

Fall festival Opening ceremonies for the Penn Township Fall Festival will be at 5:30 p.m. Friday at the Penn Township Municipal Park in Harrison City. The festival continues through the weekend, with Saturday highlights including a parade at 10:30 a.m. and Zambelli fireworks at 9:30 p.m. A community worship service...

It used to be just “Christmas creep,” but now it’s a general “holiday creep” — the practice of stores putting out seasonal merchandise further and further in advance of the actual holidays. It’s not something Cindy Miller of Connellsville is necessarily noticing when she goes out shopping, but she falls...

It will be a festive weekend around the ‘Burgh, with celebrations of beer, music, the outdoors and diversity in the arts. He’s still standing Elton John brings his “Farewell Yellow Brick Road: The Final Tour” back to Pittsburgh for a show beginning at 8 p.m. Friday at PNC Park on...

A friendly disagreement about recipes led to the creation of a shortbread baking contest at the Ligonier Highland Games. The baking contest will be held for the fourth year, as the 63rd games take place Saturday at Idlewild & SoakZone in Ligonier Township. Gates open at 8 a.m., with the...

As shops have come and gone during the past half-century, one has remained a constant in the Sewickley business district: The Porcupine Needlepoint Shop is celebrating its 50th anniversary this month. “It is something for a business to last this long,” said co-owner Nancy Schurman. “I think we’re probably one...

Editor’s note: Behind the Art is a new feature in Westmoreland Plus. It profiles some of the artworks that are in museums in the region. An artwork would have to be quite remarkable to be considered “a treasure among treasures” in the permanent collection of The Westmoreland Museum of American...

Westmoreland Historical Society traditionally hosts an annual house tour, featuring notable Greensburg-area residences. This year’s tour, scheduled for Sept. 17, features a different sort of dwelling — five historic houses of worship along Main Street in Greensburg. Organizers decided it was too soon, post-pandemic, to ask homeowners to open their...

Rockin’ the classics Two musical tribute acts will take the stage this weekend at The Lamp Theatre, 221 Main St., Irwin: • The Jersey Tenors, 8 p.m. Friday. The quartet pairs iconic opera classics with tunes from rock ’n’ roll greats like Queen, Elton John and Bon Jovi, along with...

More than a month of free arts and cultural programming kicks off with the return of RADical Days — but that’s not all that’s going on this weekend in the Pittsburgh area. Radical idea RADical Days 2022 begins Friday and continues through Oct. 16, with more than 75 free events...

Westmoreland Photographers Society members chose “Eye of the Beholder” as the title of a show opening with a reception at 6 p.m. Saturday in the Greensburg Art Center. One of those “beholders” is a 6-year-old photographer who will exhibit three images taken in the Ohiopyle area. What makes this artist...

It didn’t take long for Aubrey Burchell to learn her fate Wednesday night on “America’s Got Talent.” Burchell was in the first group of three called forward, when 11 semifinal round contestants learned which of them would advance to the finals. The 21-year-old singer was paired with Kristen Cruz, a...

These days, tacos are more than just ground beef, cheese and toppings. From barbacoa to chorizo to lengua, tacos have gone gourmet. Visitors to the Original Pittsburgh Taco Festival on Saturday will find a taco for every taste bud, said founder and executive producer Craig McCloud. “We’ll have plenty for...

A bar shouldn’t be the only place where everybody knows your name. Kendra Ramaley wants to provide the same welcoming atmosphere — brought to life in the classic TV show “Cheers” — at The Kentlee, the Unity coffee cafe she opened in November. “We already have a great group of...

Arts and crafts The 29th annual Pennsylvania Arts & Crafts Labor Day Festival takes place Friday through Monday at the Westmoreland Fairgrounds in Mt. Pleasant Township. More than 200 exhibitors from 14 states will be present, selling jewelry, embellished clothing, home and seasonal decor, floral arrangements, candles, lotions and soaps,...

Everyone from Anglophiles to sci-fi fans will find something to do around Pittsburgh during this last official weekend of summer. Soul food showcase A Soulful Taste of the Burgh: Pittsburgh’s Soul Food Festival is set for Friday through Sunday in Downtown’s Market Square, with live entertainment beginning at 11 a.m....

Carnegie Museum of Art has announced opening weekend programs for the 58th Carnegie International, beginning Sept. 24. Visitors will be treated to the first public presentation of a new work by Malcolm Peacock, along with performances by Ali Eyal and Christian Nyampeta. The exhibition will run through April 2 in...