Since my daughters’ orthodontist was located in the Bloomfield neighborhood of Pittsburgh, I’ve spent many hours, wandering around the area waiting for various dental appliances – expanders, retainers, braces – to be put in and taken off. So one would think that I would’ve explored every nook and cranny of this primarily Italian neighborhood.
But last [...]

One of our favorite spots to visit in Hershey PA is ZOOAMERICA.  Much quieter than its next door neighbor Hersheypark, the zoo is open all year round or you can visit it on the same day you visit Hersheypark as part of your park admission.  We love visiting in the fall and winter when the [...]

Growing up near the big steel mills of Pittsburgh, words like coke (not the soda or the sniffy kind,) Bessemer oven and Carrie furnace were part of the local vocabulary, but I admit I didn’t really know what they were . . until yesterday.  The Babushkas & Hard Hats tour, sponsored by Rivers of Steel, [...]

Over the weekend, I dragged my youngest daughter on a little road trip through the hills of Western Pennsylvania. Our last stop was at Sand Hill Berries in Mt. Pleasant.  I remember visiting the farm back in the 80’s when it was pretty much just a rustic farm stand, but wow, has this place grown!
The [...]

There are plenty of places in Lehigh Valley to get a good cheesesteak.  Up in my neck of the woods, people rave about the cheesesteaks at Haak’s School House. Friday night I went to Haak’s with my dad, my cousin, a friend of my dad and his wife so I could finally try out one of these infamous [...]

A few months ago, I went on a search for some real Pittsburgh “church lady” pierogies. You know, the type  made by hand by devoted church members in their parish basement.  The kind that don’t come from a cardboard box in the freezer section of the supermarket. Tender, butter and onion topped,  potato filled packets. [...]

Oh friends, all hail the Farmer’s Market.  It is a haven for budget-conscious cooks and restaurateurs alike.  You’ll find the best, newest, shiniest and most delicious veggies in the city. My local market is Wednesday night at Carrick Shopping Center, but I’m not a one market gal.
Just this year I’ve also visited the market on [...]

Back in May, my wife attended a conference for educators in State College, and I invited myself along so that I could spend some time doing research at Penn State’s massive libraries for my master’s thesis. After dropping the kids off at nana’s the night before, we got up early to make our way up [...]

During a blistering hot afternoon at PNC Park, sitting in my seat to watch the Pirates play the Phillies was not an option. I tried it for about ten minutes, I really did, but I didn’t want to end up being carried out on a stretcher in front of my family and friends.  So I [...]

It’s officially summer in Philadelphia, which means the reemergence of the three Hs: hot, hazy and humid. I’ve donned the shorts (I apologize for those pasty legs … I’m working on it) and the shades, and am in persuit of the city’s best cool down. AC I have; my needs are a little more caloric.
Philly [...]