Stephanie Kalina Metzger

/Entertainment
When you’re on vacation and hear a busker belting out “Sweet Caroline,” with a child no older than 8 singing along, you realize Neil Diamond’s music truly spans generations.
But who really is the man behind the music? That’s what audiences will learn when they see the jukebox musical “A Beautiful Noise,” which will be at the Benedum Center in Pittsburgh through Sunday.
The musical, which debuted on Broadway in 2022, was created in collaboration with Diamond. It tells the story ...

/Entertainment
As summer winds down, the owners at Thistlewaite Vineyards in the Greene County community of Jefferson are gearing up for the annual Farm to Fork event that showcases local flavors and promotes community pride.
This year’s gathering will take place on Saturday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., offering guests a taste of what the region grows and makes, from wine, to homemade baked goods.
The event, now in its eighth year, was created to highlight the beauty, flavor and community spirit of...

Artificial intelligence development is moving at a fast pace, and the faster it moves, the more rapidly the courts will need to play catch up, according to some area lawyers, who add insight to the issue.
Matthew D. Kohel, a partner at Saul Ewing LLP, and Michele Gilman, a professor of law at the University of Baltimore School of Law, tackle issues regarding liability in AI applications across health care and employment.
Legal framework
According to Gilman, the U.S. lags behind its counterpar...

/Entertainment
It’s that time again-time to raise a glass to the region’s small businesses and the people who support them. Whether you say cheers, salud, prost, or cin cin, the Corks & Kegs Festival promises a fun time for all.
The event, sponsored by the Observer-Reporter, returns to the Hollywood Casino at the Meadows on Saturday and Sunday. Recognized as the largest beer and wine festival in the region, it’s expected to attract between 15,000 and 20,000 visitors from across Pittsburgh, We...

/Entertainment
It’s that time again-time for funnel cakes, carnival rides and midway games at the Washington County Agricultural Fair.
The much-anticipated annual event will take place at the Washington County Fairgrounds and Expo Center starting Saturday and will wrap up a week later on Aug. 16.
Opening night will feature a demolition derby. Other attractions throughout the week will include a rodeo, harness racing, motocross and more. The family-friendly, fun event will also have livestock ...

It could be said that Greenville is in the middle of a restaurant renaissance. With new establishments popping up across the city touting everything from casual fare to global cuisine, there appears to be no sign of slowing down.
One of the newest arrivals, Black Sheep, is set to replace the long-standing Two Chefs restaurant located at North Main and Stone in Greenville. The fine-dining establishment will highlight global cuisine, a trend that is rapidly gaining traction.
According to market...

Winery opened on longtime tree farm in New Cumberland
Tasting room spans 3,200 square feet with scenic views
Focus on dry wines made with estate-grown grapes
Offers live music, yoga, workshops & private events
If you’ve ever purchased a Christmas tree in Cumberland County, it’s likely you are already familiar with the name Gruver. The family operates a long-standing Christmas tree farm in New Cumberland where customers can cut their own trees, or chose from a variety of pre-cut options.
Their...

/Entertainment
The Westmoreland Museum of American Art in Greensburg recently launched a new interactive experience that blends creativity, play and discovery – the Art Maze experience.
Open through Aug. 17, the immersive installation will invite visitors to go beyond gallery viewing and embark upon a maze-like adventure melding exploration, problem solving and a deeper connection with art.
The one-of-a-kind experience features colorful murals painted by five artists from Westmoreland and All...

You might say that the tattoo industry is leaving its mark. Today, about 32% of U.S. adults sport at least one tattoo.
Those who are already inked may be familiar with the ins and outs of tattoo artistry, but for the uninitiated, the journey of a tattoo artist can be as fascinating as the art itself.
Getting Started
In Mechanicsburg, tucked quietly into a residential neighborhood, is the historic Rakestraw building, an 18,000-square-foot-warehouse that appears deceptively small from the outsi...

If you ever purchased a Christmas tree in our region, you may already be familiar with the name “Gruver.”
The family operates a longstanding tree farm in New Cumberland where customers can cut their own trees or choose from a variety of pre-cut options.
Their latest venture is the Gruver Farms Winery & Tasting Room, which is owned and operated by Jaden Gruver, who celebrated the grand opening in April.
“It’s been the culmination of five years of hard work and dedication to get the tasting roo...

/Entertainment
In a month that celebrates patriotism, it’s only fitting that country music icon and Grammy Award-winning singer Lee Greenwood will bring his music and love of country to the Fayette County Fair on Sunday, as part of his American Spirit Tour.
Greenwood rose to national prominence when President Ronald Regan embraced what would become an American anthem. Just a year after its release, Reagan used Greenwood’s “God Bless the U.S.A.” in his campaign film at the 1984 Republican Nati...

/Entertainment
“Those who don’t learn history are doomed to repeat it,” said philosopher George Santayana, a sentiment that remains deeply relevant today.
Yet, for many students, history becomes tedious when it’s reduced to memorizing dates and names. The Bradford House Historical Association is working to make history fun with its annual Whiskey Rebellion Festival, which is returning to Washington’s Main Street Friday and Saturday.
The event, designed to educate and entertain, features stree...

Entertainment
A comedian once joked that you know you’re getting old when you still think the 1980s were just 20 years ago.
If you were born before the era of big hair and rock ballads immortalized in commercials claiming “they taught us how to live, they taught us how to love,” prepare for a dose of nostalgia – “Back to the Future,” the blockbuster film starring Michael J. Fox as time-traveling teen Marty McFly, turns 40 this year.
The classic movie has been reimagined as a Broadway musical...

/Entertainment
Fans of George Thorogood’s gritty, bluesy, and raucous rock ‘n’ roll will be thrilled to know that he and his high-octane band, the Destroyers are roaring into Wheeling, W.Va., for a live performance at the Capitol Theatre on Saturday as part of their Baddest Show on Earth tour.
The Destroyers-featuring Thorogood himself, alongside bandmates Jeff Simon on drums, Bill Blough on bass, Jim Suhler on guitar and Buddy Leach on saxophone, are fresh off a successful tour in Australia ...

A trio of businessmen are betting on Lexington and intent on bringing the big city vibe to a growing area.
Ryan Jones, Joe Walker and Steven Cook have banded together to open Ember Restaurant, which is the first project under Columbia-based Foundry Hospitality Group.
The group celebrated a soft opening on June 4, in a space formerly occupied by Alodia’s Cucina Italiana and Cook noticed that the excitement was palpable. Cook, who serves as President of the Hospitality Group, is also a 2024 Res...