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Over the weekend, the woods and trails of Twin Lakes Park, east of Greensburg, were transformed into a haven for crafts enthusiasts.

The Westmoreland Arts and Heritage Festival continues through 8 p.m. today, and even those who aren't crafty will delight in the ethnic foods, strolling artists and live music.

At the Cabaret, a party held at the park Saturday evening to thank festival supporters, Donnie Gutherie grinned "ear to ear" and gushed about the festival's success.

He's the festival's executive director, and the two are the same age: 31.

Friday's performance by "No Bad Ju Ju" and Saturday's show by "Gashouse Annie," who also performed at the Cabaret, were hits, as was the premiere of the Heritage Trail, Gutherie said.

The trail is a corridor of displays assembled by five historical societies and four crafters who do woodworking, quilting and toy and jewelry making.

"This is one of the best days I've ever had at the festival," he said. "The crowds were great."

Spending Friday at the festival wasn't enough for U.S. Rep Tim Murphy, who was accompanied at the Cabaret by his wife, Nan.

They came back Saturday and made a number of purchases in the artist market, he said.

"This is the place to be. Phenomenal weather and a great crowd."

Jan Bye came all the way from Philadelphia.

"I support the festival by supporting the artists," she said. "It's really a Pennsylvania experience to come here."

Another draw is the Westmoreland Arts Nationals Juried Fine Art and Photography Exhibition.

An earlier exhibit of the nationals took place at Westmoreland County Community College, near Youngwood.

WCCC instructor David Ludwig coordinated the shows, and during the Cabaret, he gave a guided tour of the 90 works on display.

"The work as a whole seems a little smaller this year. No matter what the medium, the artists seem to be working on a more intimate scale," Ludwig said. "There's lots of photography (and) not as much ceramics or watercolors."

It just so happens that best of both shows is a nontraditional watercolor titled "Manage Just Fine No. 1," by K. Rice Hunter, of Jeannette.

"Katy Jo" is a black-and-white photograph a of beautiful, hairless woman submitted by Dominique Chaponot, of Olyphant, Lackawanna County.

"She's got eyes that just go 'pow,'" Ludwig said. "I think it's a magnificent piece. It just looks right back at you."

He also liked a series in pencil called "Untitled" by Christian Routh, of West Sayville, N.Y.

"They're traditional subjects but beautifully rendered."

John Wolfer, of Cincinnati, used ground meat as his theme in an acrylic series, which is "modern" and "playful," and "different than anything else in the show."

"I think there's a lot of maturity and good control over technique and material," Ludwig said. "I think the majority of the people at the festival take the time to come in and look at the artwork."

Seen at the Cabaret: Westmoreland County Commissioner Tom Balya and Westmoreland County Judge Debra Pezze; Mike Kaleina; Helen Torrance; Terry O'Hallaran; Cecilia Morreo and her mother, Mary Joyce Morreo; Gail McConnon; Chuck and Jeanne Kaylor; Roger and Jan Christiansen; Jane Church; Mark Gunkle; Sue Bebin; Nicole Gorman; Jill Jackson; Eric and Michele Bononi; Barbara Jones; Red Baughman; and Malcolm Sias with his daughters, Katie, Megan and Molly.

Salvation Army unit operates 'Christmas in July'

For the Salvation Army, "tis the season" applies year-round.

The organization is a branch of the Christian church with a military-style structure and was founded in the late 1800s in London's East End by independent evangelist William Booth.

The Salvation Army operates in more than 100 countries and puts its faith into action through services that include shelters, disaster assistance, counseling and employment services, social service centers, correctional services, and aid to the armed forces.

Captains Jeff and Debbie Stacy, commanding officers of the Latrobe Corps of the Salvation Army, hosted a "Christmas in July" event Saturday at the Walmart off Route 30 in Unity Township.

Beneath a tent, the Stacys and their daughter Bethany, 14, and Patty Severa, and her daughters Kayla, 13, and Ginny, 15, collected nonperishable food and distributed information about Salvation Army programs, including Sunday worship.

Services "where you can fit in" begin at 9:30 a.m. with Sunday school, followed by fellowship time at 10:30 a.m. at 1420 Ridge Ave., Latrobe.

"Need knows no season," Debbie Stacy said. "People are starting to learn we're more than a hot meal or a bag of food. We not only meet their physical needs, but also their spiritual needs. We try to minister to the whole person."

Retired Corps Sergeant Major Fred See stood with a collection kettle nearby and rang a bell.

Occasionally the bell went silent as See handed out a lollipop, shook a hand, or gave a hug and a peck on a cheek.

The 85-year old, donning a baseball cap and a white shirt and tie, said he just liked the idea of serving.

It's "not too hot for an old man like me to stand here," he said.

The hand started shaking again as See smiled and nodded at passers-by.

"Have a good day folks. Have a good day."

A man stopped to deposit money.

"Thank you sir, God bless you, and have a good holiday."

The bell caught the attention of Rosemary Panichella, of Greensburg, as she exited the store.

"I gave before on my way in, and I'm giving again because I think they need it," Panichella said. "I wish them luck."

Seen making a drop in the kettle: Brad and Laurie Criswell, of Bedford; Jackie Kachik, of Latrobe; Agnes Onusko, with her daughter, Renee, both of Youngstown; and Joan Hoffer, of Baggaley.

Westmoreland Cultural Trust at 'Thank God It's Summer' soiree

Thank God it's summer.

Under blue skies accompanied by a balmy breeze, folks partied on the patio Friday during a "Thank God It's Summer" soiree with the Westmoreland Cultural Trust.

The trust will host the parties from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Fridays throughout the season in Megan's Suite and on the adjacent patio at the Palace Theatre in Greensburg.

They're a great way to relax with friends while beginning the weekend, said Mike Langer, trust president.

"A lot of people use this as a starting point," he said.

From there, folks can go to dinner, do a night on the town or walk to the Concerts in the Park.

"I've done two of the three, but I'm not going to tell you which ones."

Sharon Cassidy enjoyed the party in the company of her brother, Sean Cassidy, and his wife, Candy, of Hempfield Township.

Being from New York, Sharon Cassidy's approval might carry some weight, because she said, "New Yorkers are the connoisseurs of parties."

Pat Orbin served the beverages while trust employees Yvonne Goldsborough, Marlene Petro, Kate Maize and Kristen Vogt tended to guests, music and food.

Seen enjoying TGIS: John Bolha; Lisa Hegedus; Janie Belden; Judi Flaherty; Linda Hoffman; Terry and Debbie Reese; Westmoreland County Judge Rita Hathaway; Don and Mary Lou Hacker; Dan and Liz Fajt; Chic Capozoli; Jack and Jean Snodgrass; Pat Condo; and Jan Taylor.

Stage Right performs 'The Popcorn Dragon'

For an actor, audience appreciation is everything.

Six days a week all summer, Stage Right, a performing arts school and professional theater company in Greensburg, travels throughout Westmoreland County, putting on shows for children.

The organization performed "The Popcorn Dragon" last Monday in the multipurpose room of Penn Area Library in Penn Township.

"They're so popular we had to do a second show," said Pat Capetta, children's librarian, who organized the event. "They draw a crowd, and they do a great job."

In the show, a young dragon named Dexter annoyed his animal friends by bragging about his ability to blow smoke.

The smoke was produced through two cans of Silly String that were attached to the costume of Alex Noble, 18, the actor portraying Dexter.

His friends were Alyssa Zagorac, 17, a zebra; Maurissa Auer, 14, a giraffe; Rachael Braun, 17, an elephant; and Samantha Pike , 18, a lion.

Tara Geisler, 19, was Dexter's mother.

After the other animals refused to play with him, Dexter cried and told his mother that the other animals didn't like him because he was a dragon.

"My darling little earth scorcher, nobody likes a show off," she said with a mother's wisdom. "Now go back and play with your friends."

Dexter then fell asleep in a cornfield, and his hot breath set it ablaze.

The explosion and aroma of popcorn that followed prompted the return of the animals, which were only too happy to befriend Dexter again, in part, because the lion was hungry.

The audience, coated in Silly String, joined the actors in scooping up the shooting kernels.

Noble lay in the middle and was eventually overtaken by a mob of about 80 scrambling, squealing youngsters.

Sometimes they "crawl all over me," he said.

"We're the Beatles -- library style," Geisler said. "It's great when we get to do these kinds of things because we can reach out to so many kids at once."

For more information on upcoming Stage Right performances or programs, call 724-832-7464.

The library's multipurpose room was transformed into a medieval castle, complete with stone walls and royal draperies by a decorating committee of Kellie Pedder, Kendra Simpson and Donna Orange.

Seen at the show: Tony Marino, Stage Right's artistic director; Melissa Edwards, with her children, Carlie, Kyle, Ben and Chas; Susan Oravec, with her children, Matthew and Nicole; Tracy Germanoski, with her children, Kaitlyn and Hailey; and Betty DeCraene, visiting from Iowa, with her grandson, Luke French.

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