Shirley McMarlin stories, Page 4

Something good Two big names in music take the stage this weekend at The Palace Theatre in Greensburg: • Ben Folds, 7:30 p.m. Friday. Best known for songs like “Brick” and “Underground” with the alt-rock trio, Ben Folds Five, the singer/songwriter/pianist is touring after his fifth solo studio album,“What Matters...

The Westmoreland Museum of American Art has named Silvia Filippini-Fantoni as its new Richard M. Scaife Director/CEO, effective in August. Filippini-Fantoni comes to The Westmoreland from The Newark Museum of Art in New Jersey, where she is deputy director of learning and engagement. “I am dedicated to ensuring that this...

A house doesn’t need to be a McMansion or historical edifice to merit a spot on a home tour. One of the properties featured on the 17th Annual Ligonier Valley Home Tour, set for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, is small in size but big on style. Just blocks...

A group of high school movers-and-shakers were recognized at the YWCA West­moreland County Women of Achievement Awards, held June 6 at Ferrante’s Lakeview in Hempfield. The program is planned by local women business leaders to honor young women who excel in their academic and extracurricular pursuits and make a difference...

Six area young people are a step closer to careers in the medical profession following Westmoreland Hospital Auxiliary’s annual scholarship luncheon, held June 7 at Greensburg Country Club in Hempfield. The auxiliary presented $2,500 scholarships to the group, including two new awards in honor of organization members. Recent high school...

(Editor’s note: Behind the Art is a recurring series highlighting artistic works throughout the county.) “Quaint Courtyard on Dithridge” is “a beautiful, beautiful cityscape,” said Barbara Nakles of the Ottmar F. Von Fuehrer oil painting that depicts a backyard scene from Pittsburgh’s Oakland section. The artwork was a 1956 acquisition...

Westmoreland Cultural Trust’s TGIS concerts are returning to the courtyard of The Palace Theatre in downtown Greensburg, after three years of socially distanced events at the Greensburg Garden & Civic Center. Now in its 18th year, the free weekly summer music series kicks off at 6 p.m. Thursday with Shiva...

The seven locations on Greensburg Garden Center’s upcoming garden tour feature themes spanning the globe from Hawaii to the British Isles. The self-guided driving tour is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 24. Five of the featured gardens are in the Greensburg area, the other two are in...

Take a break Looking for a new way to unwind after a long workweek? Break Stuff Night is planned for 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday at Green Beacon Gallery, 235 W. Pittsburgh St., Greensburg. The gallery will provide a stash of smashables, including dishes, furniture and old electronics, along with...

The pressure to behave badly can be overwhelming if it means being accepted by the cool clique. That theme is explored in the darkly comic “Heathers,” a musical based on the cult classic 1988 film of the same name, running Thursday through Sunday at the Geyer Performing Arts Center in...

Pride Prom at The Westmoreland Museum of American Art is an opportunity for “people to come and be themselves and be comfortable doing so,” said events manager Hannah Vincent. An annual event since 2019, Pride Prom is set for 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday in the facility at 221 N....

Taylor Swift is the biggest thing going in the entertainment industry. Turn on the TV or radio, scroll social media, listen to talk on the street, and there she is. Her ongoing Eras Tour is on track to become the highest-grossing tour ever by a female artist, with Billboard Boxscore...

Deverin and Heather Cabbagestalk’s second venture in the restaurant business is aptly named The Sequel. The eatery in Hempfield fills the space formerly occupied by Cozumel Mexican Restaurant along Route 30. The Sequel opened May 24 and continues the menu and mission of the Cabbagestalks’ first restaurant, Will-Onita’s in the...

When you find a good thing, stick with it. It’s an idea illustrated by the Sunday Evening Band Concerts in Ligonier, a series that entered its 73rd season on June 4 with a performance by the Allegheny Brass Band. “We come every Sunday,” said Gwen Maurer, who traveled from Johnstown...

Once upon a time, a hat was a standard element of the well-dressed lady’s outfit. That’s not the case these days, but there still are those situations in which haute headgear is de rigueur — obviously including the annual Westmoreland Symphony Hat Luncheon. Dubbed Champagne & Chapeaux, this year’s event...

Taylor Swift isn’t just a music and pop culture icon. She’s also the subject of an elective three-credit course at Carnegie Mellon University. “Taylor Swift Through the Eras” was a spring semester offering through CMU’s Student College (StuCo), which allows students to develop and teach academic courses on topics of...

Rockin’ the park Elton Rohn has a repeat engagement at 7 p.m. Friday at the SummerSounds concert series in downtown Greensburg’s St. Clair Park. The Elton John tribute act drew the largest crowd of the 2022 SummerSounds season. Hailing from Canada, the group delivers the look, feel and sound of...

Ten vendors will be present for the Westmoreland Glass Collectors’ Club show and sale this weekend at Westmoreland County Community College. That doesn’t sound like a lot, said Ken Kosoglow, a club board member and chairman of the event committee — but those 10 vendors will be bringing 5,000 pieces...

Free entertainment will be offered throughout the summer at The Lamp Theatre in Irwin, with three local music nights and three family movie nights on tap. The outdoor music series starts Thursday in the Harper Family Courtyard, featuring Nick Guckert from 6 to 7:15 p.m. and Barbara Blue from 7:45...

Donnie Iris has canceled an upcoming appearance with REO Speedwagon because of ongoing health issues. Western Pennsylvania’s “King Cool” was scheduled to appear June 21 at the Foundation Amphitheater in Youngstown. A Facebook post says that Iris has been receiving treatment for cancer and, while his prognosis is good, he...

Outdoor dining and music will be available again when the weekly summer SupperMarket returns Wednesday to the Lincoln Highway Experience in Unity. The Wednesday events, running from 5 to 8 p.m., offer outdoor dining options from several area food purveyors, along with a live musical act. Serving up a la...

(Editor’s note: Behind the Art is a recurring series highlighting artistic works throughout the county.) John Kane was both a rough-and-tumble immigrant laborer and a self-taught artist of renown. Born in Scotland in 1860, he emigrated to the United States at age 19. He landed in the Pittsburgh area, where...

Retirement afforded Gary and Ginger Hepler time to spend on creative pursuits that they didn’t have during their working years. The fruits of their labor are on display until June 17 in a show called “City Mouse, Country Mouse” at the Greensburg Hempfield Area Library. The name isn’t representative of...