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PrintDiane Ambrose paints scenes depicting wildlife on tools, such as hand saws.
She is one of the artisans, many of them from the South Hills, manning a booth at the 13th annual Pennsylvania Arts and Crafts Colonial Festival, featuring 200 exhibit booths with vendors from 14 states, Friday through Monday at the Westmoreland County fairgrounds, one of several area Labor Day events worth checking out over the weekend.
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Lake Fong, Post-Gazette Patrick Kenny, 11, of Whitehall, tries to maintain balance while climbing a ladder on an inflatable slide at Whitehall's 16th annual Community Day on Saturday. Click photo for larger image. |
Booths will feature such items as woodcraft, jewelry, embroidered clothes and children's toys. Painters will be working on canvas, slate, wood, metal and fiber. There will be glass blowing and chainsaw carving demonstrations.
South artisans who are scheduled to appear include Beverly Maurhoff, of South Hills, who will present whimsical wood and fabric products; Elinor Unico, of Mt. Lebanon, who will display seasonal decorations; Kathleen Putaro, of Bethel Park, who makes and sells one-of-a-kind clothing and accessories; Dawn Edwards, of Pleasant Hills, fabric decor; Elizabeth and George Magiski, of Brentwood, who write poetry and do calligraphy.
"I'm told my work has a vivid, colorful look," said Ms. Ambrose, of Latrobe.
She feels her work reflects her life, with scenes she regularly views, such as her flower beds and wild turkey and deer in her yard.
She has painted on old artifacts such as buckets, tea kettles and trowels that belonged to parents and grandparents and were intended to be given as gifts. Bread boxes, on which she has painted scenes, are regularly used in family kitchens.
A booth manned by John and Gloria Broniak, of Collier, will feature miniature Santas hand carved from soft wood by Mr. Broniak and painted with acrylic colors by Mrs. Broniak.
They display their wares at fairs and crafts shows in a half dozen states and said they thought the Colonial festival was one of the best shows because of its variety of exhibits.
The 11th Pennsylvania Regiment, a Civil War re-enactment group portraying a Union Infantry regiment, will set up an encampment with tents, campfire and drilling.
There are indoor and outdoor exhibits and attractions include musical groups, face painting, wagon rides, a caricature artist and a petting zoo.
Admissions per day are: $5, adults; $4.50 seniors; $1 children (6 to 12); and children under 6, free.
Two South events planned for Labor Day are open to people from other communities and, along with other area events, will provide a satisfying end to this year's long, hot summer.
Dormont council is sponsoring an admission-free day from noon to 6 p.m. Labor Day at the nearly 80-year-old landmark swimming pool. The Friends of the Pool will sell hot dogs, hamburgers and other refreshments as a fund-raiser for pool repairs.
Prizes include a free pass for next year's swim season.
The city of McKeesport will hold two concerts, followed by fireworks, all at Renziehausen Park.
An oldies group, The McGuires, will appear at the band shell at 4 p.m., followed by Jimmy Beaumont and the Skyliners at 7 p.m. The fireworks will start at 9:30 p.m.
Many of the South communities contacted by the P-G said they had nothing special planned for Labor Day.
But you don't have to travel very far to discover other fun times.
Pittsburgh's annual Labor Day parade will start at 10 a.m., with line-up near Mellon Arena. The parade will move across Grant Street to the Boulevard of the Allies.
The 41st annual Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon will be broadcast Sunday night and Monday. It will start at 11:30 p.m. Sunday on the Pittsburgh Cable News Channel and at 12:35 a.m. on WPXI. The phone number to call in a pledge is 412-373-5500.
The national broadcast starring MDA Chairman Jerry Lewis will originate from Las Vegas, returning there after 12 years in Hollywood.
Bill Cardille and others will host the telethon live from Monroeville Mall.
