Freelance writer w/focus on hospitality, travel, food and business. Blog: cheeseplatesandroomservice.com. Work appears in many publications across the US. Winner of five Keystone Media awards and one NAMPA award.
Peppa Pig’s ‘First Concert’ brings classical music to young audiences
/Entertainment
Exposing children to the arts at an early age may seem daunting for some parents, but “Peppa Pig: My First Concert” embraces the philosophy of “meeting the children where they are.”
What results is a lively, family-friendly introduction to classical music designed especially for preschoolers.
“Peppa Pig,” the beloved British preschool animated television series that has been airing for more than 20 seasons, is a favorite among young viewers. Now the popular characters are stepp...
Chef Nikko Cagalanan opens Bareo dumpling bar in Charleston
Dumplings are having a moment — emerging as a strategic menu category nationwide. Delivery data bears this out. Potsticker orders jumped more than 500% year-over-year in 2025, highlighting rising demand for dumpling-style starters.
For James Beard Award-finalist Chef Nikko Cagalanan and wife and business partner Paula Kramer, however, the idea wasn’t trend-driven. It grew from personal preference and a New York trip that helped crystallize the concept for their new restaurant Bareo — a name d...
New partnership brings onsite rehab therapy to Baltimore senior campus
Key takeaways:
Springwell Senior Living partnered with Baltimore-based Assisted Rehab to provide onsite rehabilitation services.
The partnership offers physical, occupational and speech therapy directly on the Mount Washington campus.
Onsite therapy helps residents recover from surgeries and reduces fall risks by improving strength and balance.
Assisted Rehab’s team integrates closely with Springwell staff, attending meetings and offering personalized care.
A new partnership between Baltimore...
Falls Park Conference District gains partners in Greenville
Downtown Greenville’s development momentum continues as major partners step forward to advance the Falls Park Conference District, a mixed-use project designed to expand the city’s hospitality, office and event infrastructure.
The six-acre tract, valued at roughly $26 million, will include a conference center, a luxury hotel, multifamily residential units, Class A office space, structured parking and expanded access to Falls Park.
At a press conference on March 12, Steve Navarro, president an...
Murder, media and mayhem: ‘Chicago’ comes to the Benedum
/Entertainment
A flick of the wrist, a tip of the hat, elbows snapping into right angles and fingers flaring apart- the musical “Chicago” pulses with choreography inspired by Bob Fosse’s signature style, commanding attention from the moment the curtain rises.
The longest-running American musical revival in Broadway history arrives at Pittsburgh’s Benedum Center on Tuesday and runs through March 15. A timeless tale of ambition and deceit set in the 1920s, “Chicago” reminds audiences that there...
Actress returns home for ‘Beauty and the Beast’
/Entertainment
One thing the Pittsburgh area continues to produce in abundance is theatrical talent-and Grace Marie Rusnica is a prime example.
From Irwin, Rusnica has been touring the country with the newly reimagined 30th anniversary tour of Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast.” which is at the Benedum Center through Sunday. For the actress, the engagement is a homecoming of sorts that began with a dream and continues with a career.
Becoming Belle
Rusnica began honing her craft at the age of 2 a...
DIY wills: Why some choose them and where they can go wrong
Key takeaways:
DIY wills in Maryland typically cost between $0-$200 compared to $500-$2,000 for attorney-drafted wills.
Common errors include witnesses signing incorrectly, vague beneficiary language and missing required witnesses.
Maryland law requires two witnesses for a will to be valid, not just a notary.
Experts recommend revoking old wills or using codicils to make changes rather than physical alterations.
When it comes to wills, individuals may have a range of reasons for drafting docu...
“Who Are You with Carl Dixon” brings The Who’s legacy to Greensburg’s Palace Theatre
/Entertainment
For Who fans, it was a sad day when the band wrapped up its North American farewell tour last October, taking with them timeless songs like “Magic Bus,” “Who Are You,” and “Baba O’Riley,” along with the theatrical performances that cemented the group’s place in the pantheon of rock-and-roll greats.
While the original shows may be over, the music – unlike the lyrics to “My Generation” – has not simply faded away. Instead, audiences can experience the next best thing with Who Are...
Six Nineteen of 1865 launches e-commerce nationwide
A history-inspired spirits brand with deep local roots is expanding its reach nationwide: Six Nineteen of 1865 has launched an e-commerce platform that allows customers in 43 states and the District of Columbia to purchase its ready-to-drink cocktails, extending the footprint of the Upstate’s first minority-owned liquor brand.
“This new online shopping option marks a significant growth step for our brand and allows more people to experience our cocktails wherever delivery is available,” said ...
Meeka Fine Jewelry grows craft and community in Camp Hill and Rhode Island
Monika Krol has built a career around making a statement — one rooted in passion, craftmanship and calculated risk. Twelve years ago, the entrepreneur opened Meeka Fine Jewelry in downtown Camp Hill, bringing a big-city design sensibility to a small-town setting.
This year marks Krol’s 12th year in the business as a designer-maker, featuring an exclusive collection of her own handcrafted fine jewelry line alongside a curated selection of designer-makers from around the United States.
How it b...
Pretzel company goes from small retail establishment to an Oprah mention
Making it to Oprah’s Favorite Things list is no small feat. Products must first be discovered by Oprah Winfrey’s internal team, then evaluated for quality, originality, usefulness and emotional resonance before being passed along to the celebrity herself, who makes the final decisions.
Philip Given, Co-Founder of The Pretzel Company, was thrilled when he heard the news.
“When we started out, all we hoped for was to share a truly authentic, bakery-fresh product with our neighbors. To see our p...
History, Restored: Gettysburg’s first Black history museum will highlight the area’s vibrant community
Gettysburg and American history go hand in hand, but one group of people often has been left out of the story.
Soon, that will change, as the Hopkins House Museum is set to become the town’s first museum devoted entirely to Black history.
Once home to Jack and Julia Hopkins, the 1840s log cabin is the last surviving Civil War-era house in Gettysburg historically owned by Black residents. The cabin, which was dilapidated and condemned just a few years ago, is in the process of being restored a...
Proceed with caution as AI reshapes legal practices
Artificial intelligence is no longer a distant disruptor of the legal profession. It’s here and is already being used by attorneys for researching, drafting motions, reviewing cases, billing and advising clients, among other tasks.
As AI improves, it will become even more useful for lawyers to use in all aspects of their profession. For now, however, lawyers face real risks by relying too heavily on the accuracy of generative AI tools.
Jim Sullivan, author of The Book on AI Doc Review and the...
Pelzer Auditorium renovation ushers in historic rebirth
After more than a century of performances, the Pelzer Auditorium is undergoing an ambitious upgrade to address aging infrastructure while improving comfort and accessibility for audiences and performers.
“Pelzer is on the verge of a rebirth,” said Will Ragland, founder of Mill Town Players, the nonprofit professional theater company that operates the historic venue. “Water and sewer systems are being upgraded and new residential construction is underway, so this $1.2 million renovation couldn...
A hometown return for “Wicked”’s longest-running cast member
/Entertainment
If you haven’t heard of “Wicked” by now, you might be living under a house.
The Tony-winning musical, based on Gregory Maguire’s bestselling 1995 novel, has become a pop culture phenomenon and now ranks as the fourth-longest running show in Broadway history.
“Wicked” returns to the Benedum Center starting Wednesday and continues through Feb. 15. It reimagines what transpired in the Land of Oz before Dorothy arrived and reveals what happens when a smart, feisty, misunderstood gr...