Laurel Highlands Magazine Winter 2021 by Sunflower Publishing

FIND A VE TO LO E C A L P

FALL/WINTER 2021 | VOL 05 | ISSUE 02

rings ven Sp , e S e h with t mes Guide Ho 1. Page 4

FROLIC IN SNOW Play on snow days at Seven Springs.

FANTASTIC FALL Discover fire on the Mountain.

HOLIDAY NOSTALGIA Christmas trees are big business.

We’re Inspired by Nature. We bring the outdoors in.

DESIGN I GIFTS I DECOR A fusion of nature, beauty and function. Step into our retail showroom for an exploration of ideas and creative solutions, from rustic elegance to European style. Inspired pieces. Inspired spaces. Rustic Lodge Furniture is located on Rt. 31, Donegal, PA 15628 I Rusticbest.com I 412-756-8300

WELCOME

www.7springs.com CEO Eric Mauck Director of Marketing & Communications Alex Moser

DEAR READERS, Sales Director Christine Wissinger

Publisher Bill Uhler Director Bob Cucciniello Editor Jean Teller Graphic Designer Shelly Bryant Copy Editor Leslie Andres Contributing Photographers Heidi Lewis, Seven Springs Photography Staff, Herb Speer, Amanda Wilson Contributing Writers Laurie Bailey, Jodi Buchan, Katie Buchan, Pat McCloskey For editorial inquiries Jean Teller 785-832-7231, jteller@sunflowerpub.com For advertising queries Christine Wissinger, cwissinger@eztouse.com; Alex Moser, amoser@7springs.com All material and photographs copyright Sunflower Publishing, 2021. Laurel Highlands Magazine releases twice a year.

Welcome back to winter, and welcome back to Seven Springs Mountain Resort! Time definitely flies—though a lot has changed in our world since our fall/winter issue of 2020. What am I saying? A lot has changed since our first 2021 issue! With all the evolving information keeping everyone on their toes—and often off balance—it can be difficult to remember that we’re all in this together. We all have stress and challenges in our lives, and, even though we may not be able to see past those challenges, remember kindness always wins. Being kind and compassionate toward our neighbors and other members of our community is the path back from the grief, pain, and anger. Family is a major part of Seven Springs, and we hope your family feels like it is part of ours. In this issue of Laurel Highlands Magazine, we catch a glimpse of the unique aspects of the resort as well as of the surrounding area. Places to stay at Seven Springs include Bass Rock Cottage, a home away for home with some special features and spectacular views (page 4). We’ll learn more about the resort with a visit on page 14 to the Highlands Market (located just outside the resort’s front gate), a taste of snow sports offered at Seven Springs and a look at how the resort makes snow on pages 6 and 32 that proves that nothing will stop the loving of skiing. Area events and attractions are a great way for visitors to expand their horizons. Let’s start on a fall foliage tour as our writer and photographer take you through the Laurel Highlands with an eye out for other leaf peepers (page 18). Then it’s on to Latrobe for a visit to the Latrobe Arts Center with ties to the town’s favorite son, Fred Rogers (page 22). We’ll stop at the Maple Weekend, March 12–13, for a sweet celebration and a tasting tour around Somerset County (page 10). And we finish up with a tour of the various Christmas tree farms in the Highlands (page 26). Whatever part of winter is your favorite, you’ll find ON THE COVER Who doesn’t love sliding something as you wander the Highlands region. FIND A E TO LOV PLACE

FALL/WINTER 2021 | VOL 05 | ISSUE 02

Springs Seven with the es Guide, Hom Page 51.

WELCOME BACK! JEAN

FROLIC IN SNOW Play on snow days at Seven Springs.

FANTASTIC FALL Discover fire on the Mountain.

HOLIDAY NOSTALGIA Christmas trees are big business.

down the mountain on an inner tube? Photo by Seven Springs Photography Staff

Laurel Highlands Magazine

PHOTO Seven Springs Resort Photography Staff

CONTENTS

STAY Home Away from Home Stay at the Bass Rock Cottage for a new experience at Seven Springs Mountain Resort.

PLAY Snow Days at Seven Springs Diverse trail network draws winter sports enthusiasts to resort.

PLAY Discovering the Sweet Spot Take a spring tour of maple sugar camps in Somerset County and beyond.

DISCOVER The Highlands Market Find a unique selection of foods and goods to please any visitor.

DISCOVER Fire on the Mountain Colors explode during fall in the Laurel Highlands.

HELLO, LAUREL HIGHLANDS! A Hub of Creativity Emerging talent and seasoned artists find a home at the Latrobe Art Center.

FEATURE O Tannenbaum Christmas tree farms are rooted in holiday tradition.

FEATURE Cooking up a Snowstorm The ultimate recipe for fun involves water, weather, and whirring machines.

EVENTS

SEVEN SPRINGS HOMES GUIDE

Laurel Highlands Magazine

RESORT PROPERTIES ARE SELLING QUICKLY. Touching the lives of people and children in our communities for over 28 years.

814.532.0100 www.1889foundation.org

1889\....

..s/J FOUNDATION

If you’re thinking of buying or selling call us for all of your real estate needs.

800-419-7653 Laurel Highlands Office 3802 State Route 31, Donegal, PA 15628

A member of franchise systems of BHHS Affiliates, LLC

STAY

Home Away from Home Stay at the Bass Rock Cottage for a new experience at Seven Springs Mountain Resort.

STORY BY Katie Buchan

Laurel Highlands Magazine

PHOTOS BY Seven Springs Photography Staff

magine waking up to a hot cup of fresh coffee and gazing through a wall of living-room windows at misty sunrise colors dancing over a private pond. The day ahead is filled with adventures, and the entire family is together in the mountains. At one’s fingertips are countless options, and with each day filled, excitement calls from the other end of the driveway. When evening comes and the family has returned from its adventures, tired little ones will gather around the fire, and the adults will look out across the pond as they recount favorite moments of the day. Those are the kinds of memories that the strong stone and timber walls of Bass Rock Cottage were built to create. The cottage sits at the edge of its own private fishing pond, with the porch, patio, and firepit in view of the sprawling shore. Just a mile from the Seven Springs Resort’s main entrance, Bass Rock Cottage is a quiet, secluded escape just minutes from the endless excitement at the resort. The professionally decorated cottage strikes the perfect balance between rustic charm and satisfying luxury. Natural stone, rich wood tones, and wrought iron inspire warmth and nostalgia. Plush furnishings wrap visitors in comfort and make the cottage feel like home. “If you’re looking for seclusion with easy access to the resort, Bass Rock is the perfect choice,” says Christine Sherbine, Seven Springs vacation rentals manager. “The private views are absolutely fabulous, and the cottage is gorgeous. It’s an elegant mountain lodge built with old world craftsmanship.” The three-bedroom cottage can sleep a total of eight guests, and each bedroom has its own private bath. Two wood-burning fireplaces keep the cottage warm and bright when the weather is cool, and the lower level game room is the perfect place for the youngsters to spend their indoor downtime. The experience on the property is grand regardless of the season, according to Sherbine. Inside and out, fun can be found at Bass Rock. “In the winter, you can get the fireplace roaring and warm up with a snowy view of the pond. In the summer, you can gather around the outdoor firepit and spend some time fishing with the kids,” says Sherbine. “There is so much you can do with the family all year round right here at the cottage.” Each season offers unique experiences both at Seven Springs and across the surrounding Laurel Highlands area. The cottage’s beautiful view changes dramatically throughout the year. Dazzling early-season flowers begin to appear around the pond in spring, which give way to lush green foliage in summer, turning to brilliant red, orange, and yellow hues in the fall, and, when winter arrives, freshly fallen snow blankets the mountains in white. Each season brings a vast array of adventures and amenities to explore at Seven Springs. At any time of year, visitors can head to the resort for worldclass spa services, sporting clays shooting, fine dining, exciting nightlife, swimming, and more. Summer brings mountain biking, outdoor festivals, mountaintop golf, and much more. Winter serves up equally enticing options including top-rated skiing and snowboarding, snow tubing, and snowmobile tours. Beyond the resort, one can explore an expansive area filled with destinations that are sure to whet appetites for adventure. Within just 45 minutes of the cottage are signature Laurel Highlands destinations including Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater, the Flight 93 National Memorial, Ohiopyle State Park, and Fort Ligonier. Regardless of the adventures a family may choose during a stay at Seven Springs, charming and rustic Bass Rock Cottage is the perfect place to unwind and truly feel at home while away from home. To learn more about Bass Rock Cottage and to book a stay, visit www.7Springs.com/lodging. Laurel Highlands Magazine

PLAY

Snow Days at Seven Springs Diverse trail network draws winter sports enthusiasts to resort. STORY BY Katie Buchan PHOTOS BY Seven Spring Resort Photography Staff

Laurel Highlands Magazine

hen the snowflakes start falling at Seven Springs Mountain Resort, visitors from far and wide make their way to the mountain for some serious playtime in the snow. As the folks who love Seven Springs would say, every day is truly a snow day when winter arrives on the mountain. As soon as the chairlifts start spinning and the season has begun, the festive commotion of winter-sports lovers doesn’t stop until April showers arrive the following spring. Well-known to skiers and snowboarders for its diverse trail network and expansive amenities, Seven Springs serves up 33 slopes and trails of every difficulty rating, plus seven progressive terrain parks across 289 skiable acres. The resort hosts hundreds of thousands of guests each winter, and the mountain is always buzzing when the slopes are open. Anne Polenik of Blairsville, Pennsylvania, visits Seven Springs for fun in the snow every winter with her husband, Tom, and their 6-year-old daughter and 3-year-old son.

“We love the snow, and when we’re done skiing for the day, Seven Springs has a ton of other fun adventures to get us outdoors. We never get bored there.”

–ANNE POLENIK

“We spend the first part of the day skiing together in the beginner area, and Tom and I take turns going on the chairlift to ski bigger slopes,” she says. “After we ski, we grab some lunch at wherever sounds good that day, then we pick something else to do before we head home.” It’s the “something else” possibilities at Seven Springs that draw the Polenik family back to the mountain year after year. “It’s so great to have so many options,” she says. “We love the snow, and when we’re done skiing for the day, Seven Springs has a ton of other fun adventures to get us outdoors. We never get bored there.” Laurel Highlands Magazine

When the Polenik family take off their ski boots, their second favorite snow-day activity is snow tubing. Anne says it’s nice to get all thrills of skiing as you kick back in a tube and let gravity do all of the work. “It’s such a rush, and the kids just love it,” she says. “They can tube until they’re both totally exhausted, and they still want to keep going. They always sleep like rocks the entire way home.” In recent winters, the Polenik family has been working to branch out from their usual Seven Springs experience and try some new things. “One of our favorites was the day that Tom shot 50 targets from the heated five stand at Sporting Clays. He still tells everyone how awesome that was,” Anne says. “While he did that, I took the kids on a horse-drawn sleigh ride. It was the perfect day. I mean it was magical. The trees were covered in sparkling snow, and all three of us were amazed at how pretty everything was.” The best thing about Seven Springs for the Polenik family? It’s all about those “something else” options. As the children get older and more adventures become available to them, Anne and her husband are excited to try out some new experiences on the mountain. “We are absolutely pumped to go on a snowmobile tour when they’re old enough,” she says. “That whole area is so gorgeous, and it will be awesome to see the trails around the mountain. Our plan is to book a trip right after a big snowstorm so it’s really fluffy.” Winter after winter, the Polenik family and thousands like them return to Seven Springs to play in the snow and take in the experiences that the mountains offer. Each family writes a slightly different story as they embark upon their adventures, but they all seek the same feeling of togetherness and joy that only snow days can bring.

Laurel Highlands Magazine

PLAY

Discovering the Sweet Spot Take a spring tour of maple sugar camps in Somerset County and beyond. STORY BY Jodi Buchan

PHOTO Shutterstock/Sweet Memento Photography

PHOTOS BY Amanda Wilson and Jodi Buchan

Laurel Highlands Magazine

SECHLER SUGAR SHACK in Confluence, Pennsylvania

during the year, selling products wholesale or online. If the season he road winds out of Somerset in Western Pennsylvania through is on schedule, a stop at Walnutdale Maple Farms on the county’s rolling hills, past winter fallow fields where birds of prey keep northern end offers visitors the opportunity to try their hand at watch atop weathered barns and silos. Mining-harvested tapping. Got the bug? Follow the billowing steam to Baer Bros. mounds and wind turbine–lined ridges rise and dip and rise Maple Camp, mentors for those who want to begin their own again. Further on there are roadside forests of deciduous habitat leading operation, big or small. to deceptively dormant-looking sugar maples. Whether the operation is a roadside shack, The sugarwood is highlighted with miles of a private home, or a rustic showroom, it’s bright-blue tubing lacing through the trees. As most likely a family enterprise. For many visitors pull over at the sign and park, it becomes farms featured on the tour, sugar making is clear this is the first stop on the Maple Weekend • Visit www.SomersetCountyMaple.org generational. Taste & Tour, and they are just in time for the for information, hours, and map. Everett Sechler of Sechler Sugar Shack in guided wagon ride at Brantview Farms Maple. • Call Somerset History Center Confluence is a fifth-generation producer. Maple Weekend Taste & Tour is a free, (www.SomersetHistoricalCenter.org) or individual camps to confirm event. He traces his sugar-making roots to his self-guided excursion in mid-March, an • Plan your route in advance. great-great-grandfather Jonas Meyers, who annual invitation to discover the sweet • Dress for changeable outdoor established the camp in the 1850s. Today up tradition of making syrup. Some visitors weather. to eight generations of family members help begin their journey at the Somerset Historical • Split up the tour stops into with the operation. During the weekend, Center, exploring maple history exhibits that geographic sections. Sechler and his son guide tour visitors through take one on a trip back in time. A ride to the • Pre-book a hotel if staying the weekend. the camp, explain the process and new Listie Volunteer Fire Co.’s pancake breakfast • Use a navigational system unless technologies while the eighth-generation youth provides a taste of what’s to come as well as otherwise instructed. partake in an old-school syrup demonstration. sustenance for the camp tour. At locations • Fill ’er up; some camps are “We set up a little camp for them outside,” within and just outside Somerset County, remotely located. Sechler said. They have a cook pad over more than 20 area producers open their “sugar a wood fire and bottle syrup. “I think the camps” to the public for the weekend. visitors get as much a kick out of watching them as the rest of us.” Somerset Maple Producers 2020 president Everett Sechler said, The custom of harvesting maple sap in Western Pennsylvania “Each camp has uniqueness.” Production size various from Duck’s began with the Native Americans. Using hatchets and knives, Maple Farm near Seven Springs Resort with just over 2,000 taps, they cut slits into the trees, collected the oozing sap in wooden to Wagner’s Sugar Camp’s 23,000 (and counting) taps at the south troughs, and steamed out the water with rocks and fire to create end of the county. Most camps open their “sugar shacks” and barns sugar. When Europeans, primarily from Germany, settled in the just for the tour, though they set up at farmers markets and festivals

Tour Tips

Laurel Highlands Magazine

KINSLEY MAPLE SYRUP in Berlin, Pennsylvania

reverse osmosis to filter the sap from the water can expedite the region in the mid-1700s, they adopted the practice. Before the end evaporation process. Special evaporators concentrate the sap into of the century, they had developed new methods of gathering and syrup, and hydrometers measure the golden liquid’s weight for the processing the sap into syrup or “crumb sugar.” They bore holes perfect consistency. with hand-cranked drills to tap the tree, inserted spouts to guide Each spot on the Maple Weekend Taste & Tour introduces the liquid into buckets, then hauled the pails back to their camps travelers to a taste of the maple life. It’s a time when the camp where they boiled then cooled the golden goodness to the desired families share their lifestyle with the consistency. Multigenerational producers public—a seasonal highlight for sugar such as the Brant and Sechler families camps and visitors alike. “It’s just an are part of a living history, carrying on a enjoyable time,” Sechler said. “It comes tradition that marries the past with the at the right time of the year. Normally by present. Everett Sechler remembers when • Maple sugaring is essentially an Eastern March, people are a little tired of the cold he was a boy: North American enterprise due to the and the snow; they have cabin fever and Turn the clock back 60 years to my unique climate. A cycle of warm days and are anxious to get out, to visit people”— dad’s sugar camp. There was no reverse nighttime freezes stimulates sap flow. not to mention to taste the treats provided osmosis, so you boiled every bit of sap • High sugar content in the sugar maple by many camps and stock up on maple that you got. My dad had 3,000 keelers makes it an ideal syrup species. • In 2021, Pennsylvania’s average syrup syrup for the year. (term for buckets specific to Somerset production ranked fifth (165,000 gallons), Back at Brantview, the open-air tour County). It took a lot of manpower to with Vermont (1,540,000 gallons) and New of the grounds concludes where it began. gather all these and bring to the sugar York (647,000 gallons) at the top of the list. The door to the log camp is open. Inside, camp. We boiled and boiled in an open Canada’s Quebec province produces 70% historical photos of the family hang on pan—and when it was a rainy day, the of the world’s output; Canada exports up to the walls and maple production antiques steam was so thick you couldn’t really see. 85% of the world’s syrup (in 2020, that was 14,290,000 gallons). are displayed everywhere. Folks gather He would put a dipper into the syrup around Dick Brant and generations of pan to the side he was drawing off, (www.Statista.com/statistics/372013/usfamily members as they continue to and the way the liquid dripped off that maple-syrup-production-by-state; www. share their expertise and their history. dipper … he could tell when it was near Statista.com/statistics/370150/canadianTables are covered with sweet and savory syrup. I kind of miss those days because maple-syrup-production) treats, all made with maple. After a little it was so quiet. The only sound was the nibbling and the purchase of a bottle of sap boiling. syrup from the store, it’s time to check the map. The next spot? Sechler says that back then, 36 straight hours of boiling yielded You lead the way. three to five gallons an hour. Nowadays it’s more like 20 to 25 Maple season kicks off with an annual tree-tapping ceremony in late gallons. Science has made the art of syrup making more efficient, February at a designated sugar camp (TBD). The 2022 Maple Weekend at least for those who wish to use the technology. Vacuum-pressure Taste & Tour is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 12, and tubing inserted in the trees takes over the heavy lifting, transporting Sunday, March 13. the sap from tree to holding tanks or a sugar shack. Employing

Did You Know ...

Laurel Highlands Magazine

Maple Crumb Pie

(Favorite family recipe courtesy Kinsley’s Maple Syrup)

BRANTVIEW FARMS MAPLE in Berlin, Pennsylvania

INGREDIENTS • 3/4 cup maple syrup • 1 cup water, divided • 1 egg • 2 tablespoons flour • Pinch of salt • 9-inch unbaked pie shell Crumbs • 1 cup brown sugar or maple sugar • 1/4 cup butter • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda • 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar • Pinch of salt INSTRUCTIONS Bring maple syrup and 3/4 cup water to a boil. Stir together egg, flour, remaining 1/4 cup water, and salt. Slowly stir into boiling mixture; stir until thickened. Pour into unbaked pie shell. Combine all crumb ingredients. Spread evenly on top of pie. Bake at 350 F for 30 minutes.

Laurel Highlands Magazine

DISCOVER

The

Highlands Market Find a unique selection of foods and goods to please any visitor. STORY BY Pat McCloskey PHOTOS BY Seven Springs Photography Staff

Laurel Highlands Magazine

ith one conversation, it’s instantly apparent that Steve Baldwin, the manager of the Highlands Market, is a foodie. He’s made it his business to bring in the freshest and highest-quality produce, baked goods, beverages, and condiments, all produced at local farms, breweries and wineries. The market, just outside the front entrance of Seven Springs Mountain Resort, is a welcoming sight with inside seating as well as outside picnic tables with umbrellas. The market opened in the fall of 2015, but Steve has taken it to a new height with his passion for the local fare. Once a manager at Seven Springs, he has found his niche at the Highlands Market with his passion for food and beverages—a passion that is on display as soon as you walk into the market. Steve stocks produce, jams, jellies, and condiments from places like Sunny Slope Farms, a local Amish farm in Garrett specializing in fresh, unique items not found in a neighborhood grocery store. The Pickled Chef, Mediterra Bake House, Miller’s Mustard, as well as Dark Side Coffee from Ligonier, and Standing Wave Coffee from Silver Horse Coffee, down in neighboring Donegal, are among the companies that produce items in the Highlands Market that are not available elsewhere. It’s a great place to find a gift or when visiting a friend around Seven Springs. Alex Moser, director of marketing and communications at Seven Springs, says the breakfast sandwiches, made with fresh brown eggs from the Sunny Slope Farm, aren’t to be missed. The restaurant in the market uses many of the items that are stocked in the store. Steve and Alex also tout the beverages from Helltown Brewery in Mount Pleasant and www.7Springs.com/resort/ Bella Terra Vineyards highlands-market in Hunker, and they highly recommend the Highlands Italian sandwich or the turkey BLT. The relaxing atmosphere of eating breakfast or lunch in a specialty market either indoors or outside under the colorful umbrellas can’t be beat. Plus, many of the items offered in the market’s restaurant can be purchased to-go. The market is a complete store, providing paper products, fresh deli meats, steaks, ground meat, chicken, and sundries found in grocery stores. Steve says they even have wild boar for sale. Their meat selection is robust and varies from day to day. It’s really a one-stop shop for folks who live on the mountain and don’t want to take the 30- to 60-minute drive to a market in Somerset or Mount Pleasant. Although

The Highlands Market

Laurel Highlands Magazine

It’s not just a sub, It’s an EM’S SUB 434 Main St. Johnstown, Pa 15901 (814) 535-5919

167 West Patriot St. Somerset, Pa 15501 (814) 445-2100

612 Goucher St. 1577 Forest Hills Dr. Johnstown, Pa 15905 Salix, Pa 15952 (814) 255-6421 (814) 266-3948 1111 Scalp Ave. Johnstown, Pa 15904 (814) 269-3493

Steve specializes in unique items, locals, visitors, hikers, skiers, and mountain bikers can find almost anything at the Highlands Market they may need. The Highlands Market has remained open during the pandemic for local folks and visitors who need an alternative to cooking at home. Steve says the traffic has been steadily returning, similar to what has happened at the resort. Steve says, “People need an option for a specialty market as well as a place to get the normal grocery items.” My initial experience at the market was a surprise as I was searching for a lunch option after skiing. As I was leaving the resort, I noticed the market on my left and pulled in for a look. Wandering the aisles, I was amazed at the variety of items for sale. As I made my way back to the counter to order something to eat, I was pleasantly surprised at the menu and what was available for breakfast as well as lunch. It has become a regular stop when I ski at Seven Springs or ride my mountain bike up there during the rest of the year. I can say, without hesitation, that there is nothing like the Highlands Market anywhere in the region. Anyone heading to the resort for a getaway or residing locally on the mountain or surrounding areas should look for the cool little place on County Line Road just outside the water wheel at the Seven Springs Resort’s entrance. It will not disappoint.

“People need an option for a specialty market as well as a place to get the normal grocery items.” –STEVE BALDWIN

Laurel Highlands Magazine

DISCOVER

Colors explode during fall in the Laurel Highlands. STORY BY Katie Buchan PHOTOS BY Heidi Lewis and Seven Springs Photography Staff

Laurel Highlands Magazine

ith dramatic rolling vistas and lush forests at every turn, the Laurel Highlands are majestic at any time of year. While each season offers beautiful natural sights and unique experiences, none can rival the dazzling fiery colors that cover the mountains in splendor every autumn. As summer heat gives way and the days grow shorter, peeks of color begin to appear throughout the region in early September, hinting at the incredible show to come. Brilliant flashes of red, yellow, and orange slowly take over the forests, and by mid-October, the mountains are ablaze with color. Visitors arrive from far and wide to marvel at the dazzling colors and immerse themselves in the sights, sounds, tastes, and smells of harvest season. Luckily for the leaf peepers, there is plenty of peeping to be done throughout the Laurel Highlands.

SEE THE SIGHTS

One of the easiest ways to dive into the fall color experience is by taking a scenic drive along one of the many beautiful routes through the area. The Laurel Highlands Scenic Byway is a great option, taking drivers along routes 381 and 711 and through mustsee areas including Ohiopyle, Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater, and the charming town of Ligonier. Just off the route, tantalizing detours include Powdermill Nature Reserve, Seven Springs Mountain Resort’s (don’t miss the annual Autumnfest!), and a wide variety of local wineries and attractions. Whatever their route, visitors will ride along ridgetops with breathtaking long-range views, wind through forest valleys and treat their eyes to gorgeous countryside and vibrant color. Challenge each other to find all 10 covered bridges in the Laurel Highlands. (For more on the area’s covered bridges, check out the Spring/Summer 2022 issue of the Laurel Highlands Magazine.)

TREK THE FIERY WILDERNESS

Once out of the car, lace up those hiking boots and take in the fresh autumn air! Many of the best spots for fall foliage in Pennsylvania are right here in the Laurel Highlands. Ohiopyle State Park offers trails at every difficulty level, dramatic waterfalls including Cucumber Falls, and incredible overlooks including Baughman Rock Vista Overlook. The town of Ohiopyle is filled with unique shops and restaurants for a change of pace. Ohiopyle’s Ferncliff Natural Area offers an easily accessible trail system, perfect for beginners and young ones, with educational signage detailing its unique ecosystem. Elsewhere in the Laurel Highlands, seven more state parks, each offering something unique and intriguing, await visitors. Other great hikes include the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail, which winds its way through 70 miles

of beautiful and rugged mountain terrain. While it takes several days to complete the entire trail, hikers can shuttle a small section of the trail or jump in for a quick there-andback excursion. Seasoned LHHT hikers rave about the breathtaking overlook just 2 miles from the southern trailhead in Ohiopyle.

CELEBRATE THE HARVEST

When harvest season arrives, the region’s bounty is on full display, and all are welcome at the celebration. One of the best ways to enjoy an autumn weekend in the Laurel Highlands is to visit one of the many fall festivals. Some of the biggest festivals in the area include the Confluence Pumpkinfest, Seven Springs Fall Craft Days, and Fort Ligonier Days. Savory festival foods, one-of-a-kind crafts and goods from the area’s artisans, exciting live performances, fall-themed family activities, and unique surprises are all in store for attendees. For a smaller event experience, check out area’s wineries and attractions or explore hundreds of smaller special events and end-ofseason celebrations, each offering its own distinct appeal to visitors.

LOOKING FOR A FRIGHT?

It’s not all pumpkin patches and apple cider when autumn comes to the Laurel Highlands. When night falls, ghosts and ghouls can be found lurking in the shadows. Halloween season marks the return of several acclaimed haunted houses in the region. Huston’s Haunted Hollow, just minutes from Seven Springs, offers a multifaceted horror experience not for the faint of heart. Follow the terrifying tale of the Bruner Boarding House while exploring the haunted house, taking a hayride, walking the corn maze and Laurel Highlands Magazine

For More Laurel Highlands Scenic Byway • www.ScenicByways.info/byway/12413.html Ohiopyle • www.DiscoverOhiopyle.com Fallingwater • www.Fallingwater.org Ligonier • www.Facebook.com/VisitLigonier Powdermill Nature Reserve • www.PowdermillARC.org

forest trails, all to escape the clutches of Mad Mae and Caretaker Willie. Visitors can test their skills in the Haunted Hollow Escape. Race against the clock to solve puzzles and use one’s wits to escape Willie’s shack before he returns. The Bushy Run Battlefield Haunted History Hayride is the perfect way to include younger visitors over the age of 4 in on the frightening fun. The hayride takes participants back in time to the 18th century as reenactors portray period-specific scenes, but beware—ghouls and goblins are lurking on the battlefield. The Haunted History Hayride also includes admission to the Visitor Center and Museum, so visitors can learn the real history of the battlefield. Many other haunted experiences are tucked in the darkest corners of the Laurel Highlands, including Fright Farm and Lonesome Valley Farms. Need some liquid courage? The Haunted Brewery Tour at Helltown Brewing may be the right stop.

ENDLESS ADVENTURES AWAIT

Throughout the Laurel Highlands, fall adventures of every flavor are around each bend of the road. From world-class hiking to unforgettable festivals to family-friendly frights, the options are limitless. Whether a visitor is looking to trek out alone or take the entire family, the fall foliage and festivals offer the experience of a lifetime among the rolling hills and valleys of the Laurel Highlands. Don’t forget the camera!

Ohiopyle State Park • www.DCNR.pa.gov/StateParks/FindAPark/ OhiopyleStatePark/Pages/default.aspx • www.Ohiopyle.org Cucumber Falls • www.UncoveringPA.com/visiting cucumber-falls Baughman Rock Vista Overlook • www.Ohiopyle.org/baughman-rock-vistaoverlook/ Ferncliff Natural Area • www.OldGrowthForest.net/pa-ferncliffpeninsula-natural-area-ohiopyle-state-park Other State Parks (West Pennsylvania) • www.DCNR.pa.gov/StateParks/ FindAParkByRegion/Pages/default.aspx Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail • www.NPS.gov/pohe/planyourvisit/laurelhighlands_end-to-end.htm • www.DCNR.pa.gov/StateParks/FindAPark/ LaurelRidgeStatePark/Pages/default.aspx Fall Festivals Confluence Pumpkin Fest, early October • www.Confluence-Pumpkinfest.org Seven Springs Fall Craft Days, two weekends in October • www.7Springs.com/resort/eventsentertainment Fort Ligonier Days, early October • www.FortLigonierDays.com Haunted Houses Huston’s Haunted Hollow, Friday & Saturday, 6:30-10:30 p.m.; Sunday, 6:30-9:30 p.m. through October 31 • www.HauntedHollow.net Bushy Run Battlefield Haunted History Hayride, October 23, 2021 • www.BushyRunBattlefield.com/ haunted-history-hayride Fright Farm, Thursday-Sunday through October 31 • www.FrightFarm.com • www.Facebook.com/FrightFarm Lonesome Valley Farms, Friday and Saturday through October 31 • www.LonesomeValleyFarms.com

Laurel Highlands Magazine

HELLO, LAUREL HIGHLANDS

A Hub of Creativity

Emerging talent and seasoned artists find a home at the Latrobe Art Center. STORY BY Laurie Bailey

PHOTOS BY Amanda Wilson

“Located in the downtown Latrobe area, … the art center offers n a quiet street in downtown Latrobe sits a hub of creativity one of the few places for people to come in and, not only be in a nice that showcases the talent of both emerging artists and environment surrounded by local artists, it offers a place for people to seasoned masters. The Latrobe Art Center offers its get coffee and have fellowship time,” says Michael Tusay, the center’s community and out-of-town visitors a chance to view executive director. rotating installations, featuring Nearly 150 member-artists, the region’s finest painters, mostly from the Laurel Highlands, sculptors, and designers along contribute to the gallery’s full with an opportunity to take schedule of special exhibits that classes from expert instructors. rotate every couple of months, “This place is a little gem in Tusay says. our neighborhood,” says Kathy Each fall, it hosts the Mister Rafferty, a local artist and board Fred Rogers Fine Arts Juried member for the center. Exhibition from which a piece is Since 2002, when founders selected for the Greater Latrobe Nancy Rogers Crozier (sister of High School’s permanent everyone’s favorite neighbor and collection. Also popular is a yearly Latrobe native, Fred Rogers) and silent auction that kicks off with Elizabeth Hazlett opened their an Auction & Ale event for inone-room center for area artists to person bidding. It continues with showcase their work, the facility online bidding for the next 12 days. has expanded into its current During the holidays, the center spacious three rooms. Professional–MICHAEL TUSAY participates in the community-wide quality lighting illuminates Holly Jolly Christmas in Latrobe watercolor, mixed media, and oil with family-friendly activities. And for the third year, the center paintings for all tastes. The warmth of the gallery’s hardwood floors has partnered with neighboring Greensburg Art Center for the Art and the aroma of homemade cuisine (tomato soup, anyone?) invite Neighbors Joint Exhibition, a collaborative show to celebrate works by visitors to stay and browse or relax in Ricolita’s Café. A gift shop artists in both communities. features locally made ceramics, cards, and jewelry.

“Located in the downtown Latrobe area, … the art center offers one of the few places for people to come in and, not only be in a nice environment surrounded by local artists, it offers a place for people to get coffee and have fellowship time.”

Laurel Highlands Magazine

The Mister Rogers good-neighbor theme is prevalent in the center’s character, reaching out to the community with its wellattended programming, including watercolor, oil, mixed media painting and other workshops that fill up quickly with beginner and experienced students. Respected local artist instructors, such as oil painter Doreen Curry, watercolor artist Peg Panasiti, mixed media expert Sue Hrubes, and more, have their own works displayed in galleries throughout Westmoreland County and beyond. “People love taking classes from them because of their teaching techniques and reputations,” Tusay says. Amid the center’s collection of glass and gemstone mosaics, a group of young elementary school-aged children created their own construction paper ice cream cone montages in a recent class taught by Panasiti. “They could see what they were creating had different variations in different mediums,” she says. Rafferty says she became a serious painter just as the center was getting started. “It’s opened so many doors for me. … I got out there, and I’m selling my paintings,” says Rafferty, who has works displayed in permanent collections at Greater Latrobe and Derry Area high schools. The center’s current focus is to increase its workshop offerings, introducing instruction that is hard to find elsewhere, Tusay says. Take for example its batik-making class with renowned Pittsburgh fiber artist Saihou “Sonjie” Omar Njai, who, incidentally, demonstrated how to create batik art as a guest on Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood in 1997—the only episode in which Fred Rogers, donning a Sonjie-made batik vest, wore something other than his signature cardigan. “We just recently offered a stained-glass workshop and also jewelry-making classes,” Tusay says. In terms of programming, he adds that plans for poetry readings, open mic nights, and live music are in the works as well. The center has ongoing relationships with neighboring Seton Hill University, University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg, and the local Saint Vincent College. All have sponsored awards for exhibitions and have had student and professor artists participate in shows. “Right now, we’re partnering with the Fred Rogers Center (at Saint Vincent College) on a grant for a series of programs starting in 2022, specific to Fred Rogers’ 819 Ligonier St. life and legacy,” Tusay says. Details Latrobe, PA 15650 will be announced soon. 724-537-7011 Panasiti, who has been teaching 724-539-8049 (cafe) info@latrobeartcenter.org at the center since its beginning, www.LatrobeArtCenter.org says it has grown not only in size but also in professionalism. “You’re taking an idea and turning it into a state-of-the-art gallery,” she says. “It just keeps getting better.” Both founders are gone now; Hazlett died in 2008 and Crozier in 2019. “I believe they would be thrilled,” Rafferty says. “I’m sure it’s more than what they expected it to be.”

For More

Laurel Highlands Magazine

Gallery Hours

Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Closed on Sunday

Cafe Hours Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed Saturday and Sunday

Story By Jodi Buchan

Photos by Herb Speer

t a n n e n b a u m

Christmas tree farms are rooted in holiday tradition.

rowing up in central Pennsylvania, Gretchen (Kreckel) Garofoli recalls that Christmas was a “big traditional holiday.” Festivities began the first week of December during the Feast of Saint Nicholas with a “visit” from Saint Nick— i.e., Dad (sshhh!) in full red regalia—who stopped by to check on the children prior to the highly anticipated day. The saintly appearance is a custom her grandfather enacted and is in its third generation now that Gretchen is a parent. Along with Santa’s visit, Gretchen’s family maintains another time-honored tradition: visiting a Christmas tree farm. Gretchen and her family live in West Virginia, just over the border from Quarter Pine Tree Farm in Smithfield, Pennsylvania. She and her husband, Mark, picked out a tree there in 2015 when she was pregnant. “We’ve gone there ever since,” she says, adding that they wanted a location where they could have Christmas photographs taken by a professional. The Garofolis are among the many visitors who have their annual Christmas photos taken on the farm, often beside a hand-painted sign that reads “Where family traditions begin.” Over the last few years, Beth Bossio of Quarter Pine has set up more opportunities throughout the farm— nostalgic vignettes, toy cars for little ones (yes, mini tree on top), and Santa Claus on weekends.

Beth, along with her brother, Will Rockis, and stepdad, Jim Rockis (the founder), prepare for opening weekend in honor of others who inaugurate their holiday season with a tree. “We’re usually working on Thanksgiving Day,” she says. Beth says that their custom is preparing for everyone else’s, adding, “We’re lucky that we’re part of their family tradition.” Although for Quarter Pine and other Pennsylvania growers, the Christmas tree custom began long before Black Friday. According to historians and horticulturists alike, the evergreen has long been a symbol of peace and protection, hope and prosperity, rebirth and life everlasting. Cultures dating back to ancient Romans and Celts used the greenery in winter solstice celebrations. For the Iroquois, the white pine represents the tribal unity, known as The Great Peace, of the Five Nations. Then in the 16th century, German Christians began the tradition of bringing a tree into the home for Christmas. When they immigrated to America, the Pennsylvania Dutch settlers took up the custom, harvesting their trees from local forests, a tradition that continued until the mid1950s when tree farms became commonplace. Pennsylvania now ranks third nationwide in farms, producing “about 1 million cut trees each year,” according to the Pennsylvania Christmas Tree Growers Association (PCTGA). Trees

require six to eight years until they reach a marketable height; then, once a tree is harvested, an average of three seedlings are planted to begin the cycle anew. Beth describes the “beginning step of the Christmas tree,” saying they collect cones at their Quarter Pine Tree Farm to gather the seeds. They then plant them, cultivate the seedlings, and, after years of growth and TLC, harvest the seasonal centerpieces. Cone harvesting is a central activity of Quarter Pine’s sister company, Reliable Source Seeds & Transplants, a primary industry resource for new growth. Will Rockis says that, while they originally started in the late 1980s as a choose-and-cut farm, like everything tends to, “it snowball(ed) into something else.” Through forestry genetics, a passion of Will’s, they have developed multigenerational seed orchards and fostered transplants—

grown to industry standards—that are planted by Christmas tree farms in the Northeast. He figures that with the trees they’ve retailed, with the seeds and the transplants, they’re “probably responsible for multi-million trees.” From modest growers in the Laurel Highlands with 10 to 15 acres of trees—like Painter Pines and Ridilla’s—to larger operations with 70 to 80 acres such as Quarter Pine and Fleming’s, replacing cut trees is part of the cycle of renewal. Mike Ridilla says, “If somebody takes a bigger tree then the young ones can come up and take its place.” See the sidebar for these farms. It seems Christmas trees are generational—kind of like the families who return to the farms year after year, where they create shared memories, tie the past with the present, and keep generations connected.

Christmas Tree Farms Quarter Pinetree Farm

130 Hardin Hollow Road, Smithfield, PA 15478 Facebook: QuarterPineTreeFarm Generations of customers have been visiting familyrun Quarter Pine for more than 25 years.

Ridillas Street Farm

Radilla Road, Latrobe, PA 15650 Facebook: Ridilla’s Tree Farm People have made Ridilla’s in Latrobe a holiday tradition for more than 40 years. Mike Ridilla and his sister, Becky Shaffer, grew up on the farm started in the 1940s by their immigrant grandparents. Now they’re adults, seeing people who visited them as children bring their own youngsters to the farm. Shaffer says one of her favorite aspects of operating the family farm includes “the people, the families … when everybody comes, the kids running around and laughing.” The other is being outside. “It’s like a Hallmark card,” she says. “It’s quiet, peaceful. You’re just out with nature.”

The Barn at Maple Falls

793 Gebhart Road, Rockwood, PA 15557 www.TheBarnAtMapleFalls.com While weddings and maple syrup primarily take center stage at The Barn at Maple Falls, it’s the 50 acres of trees that hold the Christmas spirit. Yes, it is an old-school do-it-yourself experience (remember your hand saw). And yes, there are picturesque settings—covered bridge, water features, rustic charm—for your holiday cards. The generosity begins, however, once you buy your tree. Owner J.R. Enos donates 100% of all Christmas tree sales to community members in need.

Camp Joann Nursery

Painter Pines Christmastree Farm

198-100 Staple Dr., Somerset, PA 15501 Facebook: PainterPines Gently rolling hills and country elbow room— that’s what drew city dweller Greg Painter and his wife, Joanne, to farm country and led to growing Christmas trees. On weekends, customers who came to Painter Pines Christmas Tree Farm were treated to a taste of the North Pole in Somerset: Santa and his elves, hot chocolate, homemade snickerdoodles, and a crackling campfire. Business was more robust than they could have imagined or planned for. In 2020, they sold out their available stock in one day. In summer of 2021, they decided to let their fields grow and reopen in 2023.

Rich Farms

rural respite for Michael Rich after his military service is today a 40-acre nursery in Smithfield run by his sons, Thomas and Mark. The nursery offers customers an alternative that lives on past Boxing Day: ball and burlap trees. The 4–7-foot trees are sold with roots intact so they can be planted outdoors, a year-round reminder of “good will toward men.”

2043 Springhill Furnace Road Smithfield, PA 15478 www.RichFarms.com Sustainability is important to people who shop for rooted trees at Rich Farms. What began in 1949 as a

716 State Route 380, Murrysville, PA 15668 Facebook: Camp-Joann-Nursery The choose-and-cut farm will be closed in 2021 for tree regrowth. They plan to reopen their fields for the holidays in 2022.

Fleming’s Farm (of New Alexandria)

415 Greenpark Lane, New Alexandria, PA 15670 www.FlemingsLCT.com Facebook: Flemings-Farm-of-New-Alexandria Some growers experiencing a tight supply of Christmas trees turn to retailer/wholesalers like Preston Fleming for cut trees. On the wholesale side, Fleming’s sells to local organizations for fundraising and to retail establishments like Trax Farms Market outside of Pittsburgh. At the farm’s choose-andcut retail operation in New Alexandria, roughly 60 thousand to 70 thousand in-ground trees are on site. He also keeps 300 pre-cut trees in stands replenished from his other locations, including one in Indiana County where he grows the finicky Fraser fir.

AUTHOR’S NOTE: • Check policies, contact information, hours of operation, and services before you visit; everything may vary with Covid-19. Most farms advise checking their Facebook pages for updates. • Visit the selection guide at the Pennsylvania Christmas Tree Growers Association’s website, www.ChristmasTrees.org, to learn more about the different evergreen species.

Snowst The ultimate recipe for fun involves water, weather, and whirring machines. STORY BY Katie Buchan PHOTOS BY Seven Spring Resort Photography Staff

torm 33

f you’re a skier or snowboarder pining for winter to arrive, you know how sweet the sound of snow guns can be. The unending whirr of water and air being forced through tiny metal fittings into the frigid air on the mountainside is a bona fide symphony to the ears of summer-saturated snow lovers. The moment those snow guns fire up over the green grass of the slopes at Seven Springs Mountain Resort is when the excitement really begins. Who doesn’t love watching those whalebacks (snow piles) accumulate? Snowmaking seems simple enough at first glance. Water is sprayed through a nozzle, and it freezes in the cold air. Easy? On the contrary, scaling up snowmaking operations to fill an entire mountain with snow is complex and unpredictable. The contours of the terrain, natural snowfall, sun exposure, air and ground temperatures, humidity, and wind variations are just some of the factors that must be considered by the Seven Springs snowmaking crew. It comes down to observation and timing. Wait for the weather to be just right, then let the snow guns sing. When you’re cooking up a snowstorm, there is a lot more to consider than just how cold it is outside. Weather Temperature, But Also …. Snowmaking can begin at 28 degrees if the humidity is low, but the quantity of snow produced in those conditions is minimal. At 26 degrees and lower, the snowmaking

really gets going, and up to several inches can be produced each hour. The colder the conditions, the more snow the guns can turn out. Snowmakers monitor the air-to-water ratio using a measurement called wet bulb temperature, a combination of air temp and moisture. As conditions improve, the snowmaking team uses test towers to monitor the weather. When the team determines that the time is right, they start up the equipment and begin making snow. Next weather variable: Wind. Stationary equipment has a limited range of motion. Unfavorable winds can cause snow to pile up in places where it isn’t needed. To combat this, and to enhance coverage in general, the crew utilizes portable equipment to put snow exactly where they need it. Water: Not Too Hot, Not Too Cold, Just Right The snowmaking process begins with the key ingredient: water. Seven Springs collects water in lakes and ponds all over the mountain. This water is pumped to the top of the mountain and stored in Lake Tahoe until the snowmaking system is fired up. From the pump house at Lake Tahoe, water is pumped through miles of underground piping to approximately 1,100 snowmaking stations lining the resort’s slopes and trails. Once at a station, the water is delivered through a frost-free hydrant to the snow gun, where it is combined with compressed air and expelled from the gun as snow.

The water temperature of Lake Tahoe is important to the final product. Ideally, water entering from the lake should be in the mid-30s Fahrenheit. Circulating the water helps cool the lake to the proper temperature range. Aerators and a solar-powered circulation system called the SolarBee are used keep the water moving and at a steady temperature. The SolarBee is capable of circulating about 14.4 million gallons of water per day! That is certainly a lot of water, but notably the water is not lost when the snow melts. The melt water replenishes holding ponds at the base of the mountain and recharges the groundwater below. The ponds also collect rain and runoff, and the same water is used again and again in a closed-loop system each winter. Air: Workhorse of Snow The reason that you (sadly) can’t walk outside with your garden hose to make your own snow is compressed air. The nozzle of a snow gun is designed to force water and air together under immense pressure, creating droplets that ultimately become snowflakes. More on that in minute. Seven Springs employs five 900-horsepower centrifugal air compressors that produce approximately 28,000 cubic feet of snow per minute. Like the water from Lake Tahoe, it is distributed through a miles-long network of underground piping to snowmaking stations across the slopes. At the station, the air is distributed through a hydrant to the snow gun. This is where the magic happens.

Snow Guns: Turning the Mountain White We’ve touched on it a few times now … water and compressed air are forced together to produce snow. The snow gun itself is where the real magic happens. The tiny openings within the head of the snow gun create tiny droplets as the water and air escape. The droplets freeze instantly as they enter the frigid ambient air. This happens very quickly and, under good conditions, produces a snowflake lattice structure similar to natural snow. Various conditions can yield different snow textures from wet and sticky to dry and powdery. Once the snow piles, fondly known as whalebacks, are on the ground, the area must be leveled and finished into a skiable surface. Using grooming machines, also known as snowcats, operators move the snow to where it is needed and grind it up to provide an ideal skiing surface to greet snowsports enthusiasts each morning on the slopes. Mountain Crew & Mother Nature: The Dream Team If all of this sounds like a lot of hard work, it is! Luckily, the snowmaking crew at Seven Springs has a good friend in Mother Nature. When natural snowfall begins to accumulate on the slopes, the snowmaking team is already well on its way to building a fantastic base to support the entire season. Thanks to their hard work and expertise, Seven Springs Mountain Resort has enough snow for skiers well into April almost every year!

EVENTS

2021-2022 EVENTS OCTOBER 2021 – MARCH 2022

All dates and times are subject to change. Please contact the venue before leaving home.

OCTOBER Through November 20 Somerset County Farmers Market Somerset Running each Saturday from May through November, the farmers market brings the area’s bounty to you. Saturdays 9 to noon. www.Facebook.com/Somerset-County-FarmersMarket-139142146101195 Through October 31 Scarecrow Contest The Diamond, Ligonier Free Join in the fun as you wander the Diamond viewing more than 25 handmade Halloween scarecrows. Vote for your favorite! Visit the Ligonier Valley Chamber of Commerce website for more details: www.Ligonier.com October 23 Elias Khouri Seven Springs Mountain Resort’s Foggy Goggle Khouri is making a name for himself on the Pittsburgh music scene. Khouri started playing when he was 13, and now, though he’s still in high school, he’s made an impact on the regional rock ’ n’ roll circuit, playing mainly 1970s rock. 8 p.m. www.7Springs.com/events/elias-khouri-141 October 23 Store to Store Trick-or-Treat Downtown Irwin Free From 1 to 3 p.m., participating businesses will provide candy for the first 500 youngsters. For more, contact Lois, 724-864-0560. October 23 Children’s Halloween Parade Downtown Irwin Free Beginning at 3 p.m., the parade is being organized by Irwin Borough. Call 724-864-3100 for more details.

October 23 Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra Opening Night The Palace Theatre, Greensburg $18–$63 Join the orchestra on opening night as they kick off their season with Mozart’s “Overture to the Marriage of Figaro,” and are joined by violinist Jennifer Frautschi, a two-time Grammy nominee, as she performs Saint-Saens’ “Violin Concerto No. 3.” The concert will conclude with Sibelius’ “Symphony No. 2.” 7:30 p.m. www.ThePalaceTheatre.org/events/ wso-opening-night October 23, October 24 EagleMania Lamp Theatre, Irwin $35 Billed as the World’s Greatest Eagles Tribute Band, EagleMania faithfully reproduces the sights and sounds of an Eagles concert. The talented musicians cover the band’s music as well as solo efforts of Don Henley, Glenn Frey, and Joe Walsh. Check the website for show times; www.LampTheatre.org/eaglemania October 24 Little Anthony and the Imperials, The Crystals, and The Marcels The Palace Theatre, Greensburg $48–$78 Rescheduled from 2020, R&B legends Little Anthony and the Imperials have been touring since the 1950s. They will be joined by The Crystals with their first hit “There’s No Other (Like My Baby)”, and the Marcels with their hit “Blue Moon,” and more. All three bands are known for their soulful doo-wop vocals. 3 p.m. www.ThePalaceTheatre.org/events/little-anthonyand-the-imperials-the-crystals-the-marcels

NOVEMBER November 1–11 Ski Shop Tour Various sites The Seven Springs Mountain Resort ski shop team is hitting the road to meet skiing fans through the region. With stops in Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C., the tour will bring lots of fabulous items to ski shops along the tour. Follow them on Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and Twitter for times and locations. www.7Springs.com/events/ski-shop-tour November 3, December 1, January 5, February 2, March 2 Downtown Latrobe Merchants Present: Shop Hop Nights! Downtown Latrobe Join the merchants and restaurants the first Wednesday of each month for giveaways, special saving, and more. 5–8 p.m. www.LatrobeLaurelValley.org/events/details/ downtown-latrobe-merchants-present-shop-hopnights-11-03-2021-6962 November 5 Completely Unchained: A Van Halen Tribute Lamp Theatre, Irwin $25 Known as the No. 1 tribute band for Van Halen, Completely Unchained provides audiences with the look, the feel, and the sounds—and the fun—of a stage production of the original band. 8 p.m. www.LampTheatre.org/completely-unchained

Laurel Highlands Magazine

EVENTS

DECEMBER PHOTO Seven Springs Resort Photography Staff

December 1 Cirque Musica Holiday Spectacular The Palace Theatre $40.75–$105.75 Join in the holiday fun when you catch this aweinspiring circus experience. The new production features great holiday songs performed with the world-renowned cast of Cirque Musica. 7:30 p.m. www.ThePalaceTheatre.org/events/cirque-musicaholiday-spectacular

November 13–14 “Christmas for Togetherness” bazaar & home tour Somerset Community Building $10 Sponsored by the Pius Spring Woman’s Club of Berlin, Pa. Tours start at the Community Building; lunch will be available from various vendors on Saturday. Transportation included. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday; 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday. www.somersetcountychamber.com/event/ christmas-for-togetherness-bazaar-hometour/2021-11-14 November 14 Gary Puckett & The Union Gap, Chuck Blasko’s Vogues, and The Latshaw Pops Orchestra The Palace Theatre, Greensburg $43–$90 Rescheduled from 2020, Gary Puckett & The Union Gap will perform their hits from the 1960s. Blasko’s Vogues will open the show and The Latshaw Pops Orchestra follows with a tribute to Burt Bacharach. 6 p.m. www.ThePalaceTheatre.org/events/gary-puckettthe-union-gap-with-special-guests-chuck-blaskosvogues-and-the-latshaw-pops November 19 Broken Arrow: A Tribute to Neil Young Lamp Theatre, Irwin $30 Broken Arrow faithfully reproduces the Crazy Horse rocking tunes as well as Young’s acoustic country rock sounds. Enjoy the band’s tribute sound along with their own interpretation of the arrangements of Neil Young’s hits. 8 p.m. www.LampTheatre.org/broken-arrow

Laurel Highlands Magazine

November 23 Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical The Palace Theatre, Greensburg $20–$42 Get an early start to the holiday season with a delightful stage production featuring all the favorite characters from the TV classic, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. 6:30 p.m. www.ThePalaceTheatre.org/events/rudolph November 23 The Ballet Theatre of Ukraine’s Cinderella State Theatre, Uniontown $35–$55 Experience the tale of Cinderella as this ensemble of more than 50 performers thrill the audience with music and choreography. Join Cinderella’s search for her Prince Charming. 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. www.StateTheatre.info/calendar/the-ballettheatre-of-ukraines-cinderella November 27 Christkindlmarket Uptown Somerset Free Celebrate the holidays with lights, hand-made treasures, and delicious treats. 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. www.SomersetCountyChamber.com/event/ christkindlmarket November 27 Light Up Somerset Uptown Somerset Free Streets will close around the courthouse as residents celebrate “Light Up Somerset.” See the Somerset Inc. website for more details. There will be food, drinks, and entertainment. 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. www.SomersetInc.org/lightupsomerset

December 3 Pure Gold Christmas The Lamp Theatre, Irwin $33 Pure Gold brings back the vocal harmony popular in the 1950s, ’60s, and ’70s. A cappella vocals and four-part harmonies distinguish this group from the crowd. Celebrate the holidays with classic hits. 7:30p.m. www.LampTheatre.org December 3–4 Matilda the Musical JR Greensburg Garden & Civic Center $15 ($2 extra at the door) Based on the hit Broadway musical, this shorter version is aimed directly at the younger audience members. It’s the magical tale of a girl dreaming of a better life and discovering she has the power to make that come true. 7 p.m. both days, also 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Sunday matinees. www.ThePalaceTheatre.org/events/matildathe-musical-jr December 4 River City Brass: Christmas Brasstacular The Palace Theatre, Greensburg In-Person: $10–29; Livestream: $25 per household Bringing tidings of comfort and joy, the River City Brass offers a break from the ordinary and from the holiday stress with all your favorite holiday hits, including music from family movies like Frozen and Polar Express. Attendees will provide proof of vaccination, or proof of a negative COVID-19 test (either a PCR test taken within 72 hours or an antigen test taken within 24 hours of the performance start time). Masks will be required at all times of all audience members. 7:30 p.m. www.ThePalaceTheatre.org/events/river-citybrass-christmas-brasstacular-3

EVENTS December 8 The Diamonds Holiday Show Arcadia Theater, Windber $30–$38 Join the quartet The Diamonds as they present Silver Bells and Diamonds, opening with hit songs from the 1950s, ’60s, ’70, and ’80s, then focusing on harmony-filled holiday favorites designed to get everyone in the mood for the holidays. 7:30 p.m. www.ArcadiaWindber.com/event/the-diamondsholiday-show; www.TheDiamonds.live December 9 We Need a Little Christmas with 2Broke Country Girls The Lamp Theatre, Irwin $20 Lois Scott and Diana Lynn bring their signature sound to the Lamp Theatre stage, along with Nikki Fleming, Mary Ellen Cooper Dancers, Gary Pratt, and Lindsey Mikash. Time for the holidays! 7 p.m. www.LampTheatre.org/2-broke-country-girls December 11 The Nutcracker The Palace Theatre, Greensburg $16–$41 The timeless classic is brought to life by the Texture Contemporary Ballet from Pittsburgh. The live-orchestra performance will take audiences to the land of the Sugarplum Fairy and all its wonders for two Saturday matinee performances. 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. www.ThePalaceTheatre.org/the-nutcracker December 16 A John Denver Christmas featuring Ted Vigil Arcadia Theater, Windber $32–$40 Rescheduled from 2020, the show brings to the stage the music of country music favorite the late John Denver. Ted Vigil has been performing since he was 10, and his tribute to Denver is among the best, according to the late Steve Wiesberg, the lead guitar player when Denver was touring. Vigil has taken part in the Kings of Country tour featured tribute artists touring coast to coast. 7:30 p.m. www,arcadiawindber.com/event/a-john-denverchristmas-featuring-ted-vigil; www.tedvigil.com

December 18 Home for the Holidays The Palace Theatre, Greensburg $18–$63 The Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra and the All-Star Choir of Westmoreland County, along with special guests, will celebrate the season with favorite carols and seasonal music the entire family will enjoy. 7:30 p.m. www.ThePalaceTheatre.org/events/ home-for-the-holidays

January 22 Tribute to the King Lamp Theatre, Irwin $25 Starring Matthew and Spencer Boyce, along with The Suspicious Minds Tribute Band, this tribute to Elvis Presley is one you won’t soon forget. Matthew Boyce has received many accolades and awards for his portrayal of the King of Rock ’n’ Roll. 8 p.m. www.LampTheatre.org/matthew-boyce-elvis

JANUARY

January 30 Trace Adkins: The Way I Wanna Go Tour The Palace Theatre, Greensburg $64–$94 (in advance; additional $6 at the door) The Louisiana native’s favorite thing is to go into the studio and create a new album (Ain’t That Kind of Cowboy was released in October 2021). 7 p.m. www.ThePalaceTheatre.org/events/trace-adkins

January 1 Nightrain: The Guns N’ Roses Tribute Experience Lamp Theatre, Irwin $25 Experience a classic rock legend like never before. Nightrain brings to Irwin the intensity, musical acumen, and sheer stage presence of the original Guns N’ Roses lineup. Watch as musicians Brian Rankin, John Bradford, Lee Robinson, Jeff Young, and Dee Williams embody the well-known members of the original band. 8 p.m. www.LampTheatre.org/nightrain January 8 Resurrection: A Journey Tribute The Palace Theatre, Greensburg $29–$49 The pinnacle of tribute bands for the classic rock icon, Journey, Resurrection recreates a 1980s Journey concert that will entertain audiences while taking them back in time. 8 p.m. www.ThePalaceTheatre.org/events/resurrectiona-journey-tribute January 14–15 Get the Led out The Palace Theatre, Greensburg $28–$40 Capturing the sound of the iconic Led Zeppelin, Get the Led Out has performed around the U.S. as “The American Led Zeppelin.” These musicians reproduce the recorded music of the original band, bringing attention to detail and their passion to the stage. 8 p.m. both nights. www.ThePalaceTheatre.org/events/get-the-led-out

FEBRUARY February 4 Gordon Lightfood The Palace Theatre, Greensburg $49.75–$69.75 (in advance; $5 more at the door) The singer-songwriter continues to entertain audiences worldwide even after 50 years in the industry. 8 p.m. www.ThePalaceTheatre.org/events/ gordon-lightfoot-2 February 11–13 Rent The Palace Theatre, Greensburg $13–$18 in advance; $15–$20 at the door The award-winning musical—with music and lyrics adapted from the book by Jonathan Larson—comes to Pennsylvania for three performances. Rent performances at 8 p.m. on February 11 and 12; at 2 p.m. on February 13. www.ThePalaceTheatre.org/events/rent February 16 The Righteous Brothers The Palace Theatre, Greensburg $50–$73 Rescheduled several times from the original date in May 2020. Bill Medley is joined by Bucky Heard to bring the hits of the charttopping duo of Medley and the late Bobby Hatfield. 7 p.m. www.ThePalaceTheatre.org/events/the-righteousbrothers-726

Laurel Highlands Magazine

EVENTS

February 25–27 Pennsylvania Adventure RV Expo Blair County Convention Center, Altoona Check website for admission Details to come for the largest outdoor camping display in Central Pennsylvania. Visitors will find recreational equipment, education seminars, activities for the youngsters, and more. Learn from RV experts as they demonstrate the latest in campers and RVs. www.PARVExpo.com

MARCH March 5 River City Brass: Celtic Connections The Palace Theatre, Greensburg $10–$29 in-person; $25 livestream per household Join River City Brass as they’re joined by piper Andrew Carlisle and Irish dancers for an event bringing the Celtic Isles and Appalachia to the stage. Music from Scotland and Ireland will be on the program, as will country, hiphop, and Balkan sounds. 7:30 p.m. www. ThePalaceTheatre.org/events/river-city-brassceltic-connections March 6 Steve Vai: Inviolate Tour The Palace Theatre, Greensburg $49–$75 (added cost at the door) A true original, Steve Vai brings his skill on the guitar, along with his song-writer expertise, to the stage in an even that will showcase all types of music. He has more than 30 years in the music industry, more than 15 million albums sold, and three Grammy Awards. 7:30 p.m. www.ThePalaceTheatre.org/events/steve-vai

Laurel Highlands Magazine

PHOTO Seven Springs Resort Photography Staff

February 18 Tracy Byrd & Aaron Tippin The Palace Theatre, Greensburg $58.50–$78.50 Two great country musicians will grace the stage in Greensburg: Tracy Byrd is known for “Holdin’ Heaven,” “Watermelon Crawl,” “The Keeper of the Stars,” “I’m From the Country,” and more; and Aaron Tippin found success with such hits as “I Wouldn’t Have It Any Other Way,” “That’s as Close as I’ll Get to Loving You,” “Kiss This,” and more. 8 p.m. www.ThePalaceTheatre.org/events/tracy-byrdaaron-tippin March 19 Celtic Thunder Ireland The Palace Theatre, Greensburg $49–$75 ($5–$6 added at the door) A rescheduled show, Celtic Thunder Ireland revisits the group’s top-rated songs to celebrate Irish and Celtic music from around the world. The talented vocalists are backed by an eightpiece band. 8 p.m. www.ThePalaceTheatre.org/events/celtic-thunder March 19 Mutts Gone Nuts State Theatre, Uniontown $25–$35 Join in the fun as these canine performers show off their action and comedic skills. 7 p.m. www.StateTheatre.info/calendar/mutts-gone-nuts March 20 Rain: A Tribute to The Beatles The Palace Theatre, Greensburg $36–$79 On the anniversary of the album, Abbey Road, this tribute band will bring to life your favorite Beatles hits. A rescheduled show, Rain will take the stage at 7 p.m. www.ThePalaceTheatre.org/events/rain March 24 Martina McBride The Palace Theatre, Greensburg $69–$135 A true country icon, Martina McBride brings her amazing vocals to the Greensburg stage to showcase her six No. 1 hits, 20 top-10 singles, more than 18 million albums sold to date. She’s earned multiple Grammy nominations, and her albums have gone Gold, Platinum, Double Platinum, and even Triple Platinum! 7:30 p.m. www.ThePalaceTheatre.org/events/martinamcbride-2

March 25–26 Junie B. Jones is Not a Crook The Palace Theatre, Greensburg $10 in advance, $12 at the door A delightful live performance of a child’s story by Allison Gregory. Junie B. Jones has had her mittens stolen, so when she finds a special pen, she’s going to keep it. Finders keepers, and all that. Is she a crook, or not? 7 p.m. Friday, 1 and 4 p.m. matinees on Saturday. www.ThePalaceTheatre.org/events/junie-b-jonesis-not-a-crook March 27 Peter Noone & Herman’s Hermits & The Buckinghams The Palace Theatre, Greensburg $48–$88 The band achieved success when Noone was just 15, and Herman’s Hermits went on to fame with such hits as “Mrs. Brown, You’ve Got a Lovely Daughter,” “I’m Henry VIII, I Am,” and “I’m into Something Good.” The Buckinghams have toured for more than 25 years with pop and rock hits from the 1960s and ’70s, like “Kind of a Drag,” “Don’t You Care,” and “Hey Baby (They’re Playing Our Song).” 3 p.m. www.ThePalaceTheatre.org/events/peter-noonehermans-hermits-2

CALLING ALL WRITERS AND PHOTOGRAPHERS! Want to be a part of Laurel Highlands Magazine? We’re seeking freelance writers and photographers to help us tell the stories of the people who live, work and play in the Laurel Highlands region. Email laurelhighlands@sunflowerpub.com

HOMES GUIDE HOMES GUIDE SEVEN SPRINGS

& SURROUNDING AREAS

Outstanding Homes of the Laurel Highlands

HIDDEN VALLE Y

& SURROUNDING AREAS

Presented by

800.227.7502 | HighlandsResortRealty.com

Th e L au r e l High l a n d s

( lôr lôr--el hīhī -lendz lendz))

noun; a dramatic landscape rich with natural beauty and adventurous spirit

Every year, millions of visitors come here seeking a place to escape, play and experience the best Pennsylvania has to offer. Whether you’re looking for a vacation, a playground or a place to call home, the Laurel Highlands offer an abundant array of outdoor adventures for every age and every personality. Thrillseekers delight in rafting and kayaking on raging rivers, flying through the air on world-class zipline tours and racing down the mountainsides on the slopes of the best ski terrain in the region. Explorers discover a world of secrets, from massive underground cavern complexes to incredible views hiding along idyllic hiking and biking trails. Families big and small grow closer together enjoying a myriad of opportunities to slow down, have some fun and enjoy the good life. There is so much to do here, the options never dwindle and excitement is never hard to find. The adventures in the Laurel Highlands can only be matched by returning to your very own home nestled within them. Purchasing a home in the Laurel Highlands is far from simply owning a home it’s opening the door to a lifestyle that will change your life. If you’re ready to open that door, trust the dedicated professionals of Highlands Resort Realty to help you find the perfect getaway for you and your family.

Laurel Highlands Magazine

High l a n d s Re s ort Re a lt y Highlands Resort Realty is the leader in real estate solutions for buyers and sellers in the Laurel Highlands. We aren’t just selling homes, we’re selling the lifestyle we live and love. With more than 70 years of combined experience, we know the RESORTS, the SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES and the best ways to seize the day in the Laurel Highlands. We are the region’s on-site resort realty experts specializing in LISTING and SELLING homes at Seven Springs Mountain Resort, Hidden Valley Resort, and surrounding areas. As a part of these resorts’ ownership, we have the unique ability to market extensively on-site and reach millions of potential clients each year. For those who visit here and seek the opportunity to own a piece of the adventurous lifestyle we offer, our agency is right at their fingertips. Every day, we live and love the mountains with our families. We welcome you to join us in calling this unforgettable landscape your home, so give us a call at 800.227.7502 or visit HighlandsResortRealty.com to explore the most up-to-date selection of homes available at Seven Springs Resort AND the surrounding areas.

Laurel Highlands Magazine

Seven Springs Mountain Resort Aptly named Pennsylvania’s Outdoor Adventure Headquarters, Seven Springs Mountain Resort offers fun for everyone in every family. This year-round playground, best known for its exceptional skiing and snowboarding, also features award-winning restaurants, a world-class canopy tour, a championship golf course, a top-notch sporting clays facility, the luxurious Trillium Spa, a variety of summer festivals and events and much more. The 10 communities of Seven Springs Mountain Resort are well established with more than 1,200 single family homes, townhomes and condominiums.

Laurel Highlands Magazine

Seven Springs Listings Laurel Highlands Magazine

170 LAKESIDE TRAIL 4 Bedrooms 4 Full, 2 half Baths Offered at $2,499,000 Located atop the mountain in the newest section of Southwind, this townhome offers the best location for direct access to the trails, and boasts spectacular views. Begin your day skiing out of the ski room with custom builts for your ski clothing and equipment. The lower level features media/game room with full bath and bar. The main level features a full bedroom/bath and state-of-the-art kitchen. Relax in front of the fire in the master bedroom, or take in the outdoors from the private balcony. Near the Rec Center and pool.

476 SOUTHWIND CIRCLE 5 Bedrooms | 3.5 Baths Offered at $1,395,000 This unique, contemporary townhome is in a great ski in/ski out location! Spend your days on the stunning slopes, and your evenings curled up in front of any of the three fireplaces that this home features. The state-ofthe-art kitchen has Thermadore appliances. The large loft area is perfect for entertaining friends and family. When you’re not on the slopes try your hand at Sporting Clays or one of the many other activities that Seven Springs has to offer.

Laurel Highlands Magazine

en ing

426 SOUTHWIND CIRCLE 3 Bedrooms | 2 Full, 2 Half Baths Offered at $1,075,000 Beautiful hardwood floors flow through the main level of this townhome. A gas, stone fireplace is the focal point of the living room, while the kitchen boasts granite countertops. Large downstairs entertaining area is perfect for gatherings of friends and family. Walk out the ski room, and you have great access to the trails. The master suite features a gas fireplace in the bedroom, and heated floors in the bathroom, along with a double-bowl sink and jetspray bathtub

112 SOUTHWIND DRIVE 4 Bedrooms | 3.5 Baths Offered at $975,000 Fantastic end unit Oakmont townhome. The kitchen features gorgeous cherry cabinetry, with granite countertops and full back splash, five-burner stove and warming drawer. Three gas fireplaces, one on each level. The large, finished downstairs area is great for entertaining. The back deck overlooks Chipmunk Lake.

Laurel Highlands Magazine

254 SOUTHWIND DRIVE 4 Bedrooms | 3.5 Baths Offered at $795,000 Beautiful home situated directly on Phillips Run! Steps away from the ski slopes, no lift required, the pool, gym and clubhouse as well. Living room and kitchen have an open floor concept, accented by a lovely stone fireplace. Larger deck off the main level is a great outdoor gathering place for grilling. Upstairs master bedroom has a gas fireplace with its own outdoor balcony. Master bath features a garden tub and glass walk-in shower. Lower level has been finished to include the fourth bedroom with full bath, family room, bar, fireplace and ski locker, which leads to the trail. Four large lockable owners’ closets.

Laurel Highlands Magazine

n Co

en g n i

Laurel Highlands Magazine

l i a u

e v i Dr

Q 3 16

Pheasant Run h o m e s i t e s

Luxurious resort living in a secluded and spectacular outdoor environment.

Pheasant Run features 31 total homesites, ranging from 3 to 12 acres. Residents here will enjoy the comfort of a controlled architectural environment, with consistency in character, scale, and materials. Peace, privacy, and preservation are the ideals - creating an elegant, appropriately controlled setting for those who value seclusion. Idyllic woodlands maximize privacy and provide a breathtaking home setting. Build your home within the guidelines of our Architectural and Environment Covenants, while working with your own architect and contractors. Homes range in size from 2,000 to 6,000 square feet and feature natural wood and stone exteriors. The use of native plants and flowers in landscaping is encouraged to further enhance the natural setting.

Laurel Highlands Magazine

P h e a s a n t Ru n ava i l a b l e h o m e s i t e s Homesite 7 MLS #1484200 Acres: 7.48 $325,000 Located at the end of Ptarmigan Way cul-de-sac, the Building Envelope is located on a natural bench, with views of Forbes State Forest to the north. The hillside and vegetation to the south of the homesite provides visual separation from neighbors. Site 7 shares a driveway along an abandoned logging road with Site 8. Homesite 30 MLS #1484201 Acres: 6.36 $295,000 Accessed via a common driveway with Sites 28 and 29 at the end of Grouse Point, Site 30 offers the homeowner peace and privacy. An intermittent stream flows along the side of the property, with the streambed lined with moss-covered rocks. Homesite 31 MLS #1484202 Acres: 7.96 $325,000 Located on the corner of Pheasant Run Lane and Grouse Point, the homestead is accessed by a driveway off Grouse Point. A stream flows across the property above the homesite.

e s tat e

for

sale 163 QUAIL DRIVE 4 Bedrooms | 4 Baths Offered at $975,000 This private Lindal custom-built home is located on 5.2 acres in the exclusive gated community of Pheasant Run. The property is perfectly situated at the end of a private cul-de-sac. This rustic getaway has 3 levels of living with 4 bedrooms and 4 full baths. Save all the headaches of building and start enjoying mountain living immediately. All you need to bring is your toothbrush. Plenty of space for family and friends. Pheasant Run owners are allocated private parking at the Resort, or just call the shuttle for your 3 minute ride to the main entrance.

Laurel Highlands Magazine

V2 SUNRIDGE 3 Bedrooms | 3.5 Baths Offered at $559,000 Great location! Located near the village trail in the winter and the sunridge pool in the summer. This home has been completely remodeled with a custom kitchen featuring granite counter tops, cherry cabinetry, stainless appliances, a large island with granite and matching bar stools. Upstairs is a large loft area for an office or an overflow sleeping area. The furniture lends a feel of relaxing in the mountains. Also included is a one-car garage that is adjacent to a private outdoor patio.

8130 STONEGATE 3 Bedrooms | 2 Baths Offered at $495,000 This ski-in/ski-out condo offers plenty of space for family and friends to enjoy the mountain. The open floor plan boasts a gas-burning fireplace to be enjoyed from all angles. All homeowners enjoy two summer recreation areas that include pools, hot tubs, basketball, tennis, and volley-ball courts, along with child’s play area.

8106 STONEGATE 3 Bedrooms | 2 Baths Offered at $489,900 Ultimate ski in/out location! Enjoy the spectacular, long-distant views from the hot tub in the comfort of this slopeside condo. This condo comes with garage and ski-locker for your ski gear. Great open floor plan with a gas-burning fireplace as the focal point. New HVAC system and hot water heater.

Laurel Highlands Magazine

en ing

9021 EVERGREEN COURT 4 Bedrooms | 2.5 Baths Offered at $489,000 Very meticulously maintained townhome with flowing, open floor plan. Garage has been remolded into a 4th bedroom on the main floor with easy access. Upstairs you will find a master suite with 2 additional bedrooms and a large loft area. Living room boasts a stone floor-to-ceiling gas fireplace while the kitchen’s center island can accommodate large family gatherings. Nice deck for outdoor entertaining.

9018 ASPEN DRIVE 2 Bedrooms | 2.5 Baths Offered at $475,000 This 2-bedroom townhouse is located in the Woodridge community of Seven Springs. The main living area boasts a gas stone fireplace, large windows allowing in plenty of natural sunlight, dining room, half bath and kitchen featuring stainless steel appliances and island. Upstairs you will find a loft, 2 bedrooms and 2 full baths.

B44AB STONERIDGE 4 Bedrooms | 3 Baths Offered at $429,000 Ski-in/ski-out location with the chairlift in your back yard! Beautifully updated kitchen. Newer windows. The loft area with full bath is used for the fourth sleeping area. Owners have access to the Tower Lounge and two summer recreation areas. Year-round fun on the Mountain!

Laurel Highlands Magazine

D45AB STONERIDGE 4 Bedrooms | 3 Baths Offered at $419,000 Comfortably decorated ski-in/skiout condo with the chairlift in your backyard. The two-story living room features a wall of windows to enjoy the spectacular, long-distance views. Stainless steel appliances in the kitchen. The loft area with full bathroom is used for the 4th sleeping area.

8116 STONEGATE 2 Bedrooms | 2 Baths Offered at $419,000 Rarely Available: There are only 10 units at the Resort of this ski-in/ ski-out floor plan. Has the feel of a single family home with its PRIVATE entrance, attached garage and direct parking. Some units have converted the garages to an additional sleeping area with a separate large ski locker. Corner unit with lots of direct sunlight and 2 large outdoor patio porch areas. This unit has an updated kitchen, 2 updated baths, new custom flooring, with new electrical fixtures. All the comforts of home just steps away from the slopes.

116 SWISS MOUNTAIN 3 Bedrooms | 3 Baths Offered at $349,000 Nice touches to this end-unit townhome in the very popular Arosa floor plan. The floor plan features a bedroom and full bath on the first floor, which have been remodeled. The beautiful stone, woodburning fireplace is the focal point of the living room. Off of living room is a deck to enjoy the outdoors. Close to shuttle stop, which runs year-round. Owners have access to a summer recreation area with swimming pool and tennis courts.

Laurel Highlands Magazine

en ing

122 SWISS MOUNTAIN 3 Bedrooms | 2 Baths Offered at $349,000 This 3-bedroom and 2-bath home has the master bedroom conveniently located on the first floor and features a beautiful stone fireplace, sky lights in the open living area and loft. Located near the Swiss Mountain community pool and has easy access to the parking area.

en ing

t on

8031 MEADOWRIDGE 2 Bedrooms | 2 Baths Offered at $349,000 Beautiful and well maintained ski-in/ ski-out condo. The kitchen has been updated with quartz countertops, stainless steel appliance and maple cabinets. The two-story living room boasts a wood-burning fireplace. The large loft serves as an extra sleeping area with king-sized bed. All homeowners have access to two summer recreation areas with swimming pools, hot tubs, tennis, basketball and volleyball courts.

en ing

8064 MEADOWRIDGE 2 Bedrooms | 2 Baths Offered at $330,000 Well maintained ski in/walk out condo in the MeadowRidge community. Great second home or rental income generator. Spectacular views off the ground level deck to the East! One floor living makes it convenient for everyone. A stonefaced, wood-burning fireplace is the center of attention in the living room This location give you easy access to two summer recreation areas with pools, hot tubs, tennis, basketball and volleyball courts.

Laurel Highlands Magazine

O7 SUNRIDGE 2 Bedrooms | 2 Baths Offered at $289,000 Highly desirable condo located in the ski in/out Sunridge community. Great location for this year-round condo, just steps away from the pool in the summer and a great ski in/out location in the winter. What more could you ask for? This well maintained Aries w/loft floor plan has a main floor bedroom w/ full bath and a loft bedroom w/ full bath upstairs. The living room boasts vaulted ceilings and wood-burning fire place.

Laurel Highlands Magazine

Here’s What Our Clients Are Saying About Us: Scott Swank Broker of Record

“Working with Scott Swank made our experience so much easier. He was very attentive and was quick to respond to texts, emails and calls. We would definitely recommend Scott!” –Melissa E., Seven Springs Resort

Dale McKinley Hidden Valley Realtor

“We just worked with Dale McKinley to purchase a condo at Hidden Valley, and cannot speak highly enough about him. He was extremely knowledgeable about the resort and area. He also was a strong negotiator. After the sale he continued to help us with our new purchase taking care of loose ends. We were extremely impressed with Dale!”

–Joseph K., Seven Springs Resort

John Nichols

Hidden Valley Realtor

“John Nichols has extensive knowledge of the area and took the time to show us a range of properties until we found what we were looking for. We have been very happy with the home he helped us find. I would highly recommend John to anyone looking for their mountain home or weekend getaway.”

–Mike H., Hidden Valley Resort

Jenny Harancher

Seven Springs, Hidden Valley and Laurel Highlands Realtor “Jenny made the buying experience so easy and stress-free for us! She was available any time we needed, and answered every question we had. She went above and beyond, and I will highly recommend her and Highlands Resort Realty to others.”

–Monique F., Seven Springs Resort

John Tierney

Seven Springs Realtor

“We have been working with John Tierney for an extended period of time to find the right second home. We valued his unique knowledge of the market at Seven Springs and never felt rushed or pressured. We have already referred individuals to him long before closing on our dream home and will continue to do so.”

–Sean M., Seven Springs Resort

Michelle Buccilli Seven Springs Realtor

“Michelle was very knowledgeable about the homes in Seven Springs. We found her to be patient, non-aggressive, and respectful of our time as we navigated through the search process. Once we narrowed in on the exact property that was best for us, she kept in close contact and guided us through each step to settlement. We are quite thankful to have had the opportunity to work with and get to know her.”

–Cheryl K., Seven Springs Resort

Trent Walters

Seven Springs, Hidden Valley and Laurel Highlands Realtor “Trent was great to work with. He followed up on everything we (the buyers) were supposed to do to stay on track. And also, was good about letting me know some things I didn’t think of prior to closing, such as switching the electric and water over. I would definitely recommend and use him in future transactions.”

–Renee – Renee L., Surrounding Area

Highlands Resort Realty is proud to bring the highest standard of excellence in realty services to your neighborhood in the Laurel Highlands!

Hidden Valley Resort Hidden Valley is a year-round destination surrounded by beautiful state forests and parklands with activities for all ages. The ideal destination for families, Hidden Valley offers a comfortable environment for small children to learn to ski or snowboard on gentle terrain. Hidden Valley’s natural, private setting and well-established communities combined with a championship golf course, fantastic skiing terrain and much more make this the perfect place to make a home with your family. The resort is home to 1,200 residential properties.

Laurel Highlands Magazine

en ing

587 MAPLE COURT 3 Bedrooms | 2 Baths Offered at $183,900 Enjoy year-around fun in this 3 bedroom plus loft, end unit townhome. Located across the street from Forbes State Forest and endless miles of trails for hiking, biking, cross country, snowshoeing and exploring all in your backyard.

n Co

n nge

1921 SOUTH RIDGE CT. 3 Bedrooms | 3 Baths Offered at $279,000 This townhome is in an excellent location right behind the Hidden Valley Foundation with the large pool, playground, basketball court, bocce courts and more. The unit is more than 1,900 square feet with 2 bedrooms and 2 full baths on the main level and a massive master bedroom suite upstairs along with the loft and large storage room. The open living area has cathedral ceilings, stone-faced fireplace, cedar accented wall and an impressive deck in the back overlooking the ponds in South Ridge.

Laurel Highlands Magazine

Condos Currently Under Construction Available for PRE-SALE in Hidden Valley Resort’s Newest Development!

e ! h t ng chase o Am Pur e B st to Fir

STARTING AT $439,500 Call Us Today to Secure Your New Mountain Home!

To learn more about the North Summit Condominiums or to schedule a private tour of the North Summit community, please call 814-352-7777.

Christine Sherbine Hidden Valley Dev. Group Extension 7193

Dale McKinley Hidden Valley Realtor Extension 6201

John Nichols Hidden Valley Realtor Extension 6200

Three Bedrooms, Two Baths, Endless Fun! 2,066-square-foot condominium is offered starting at $439,500 and features wonderful amenities including: • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Gas Fireplace in the Living Area Open Concept Kitchen with Bar Area Granite Countertops/Stainless Steel Appliances Tiled Entryway, Kitchen and Baths No Steps in Lower Units/Cathedral Ceilings in Upper Units Casement and Double-Hung Windows Wooden Raised Panel Interior Doors Master Ensuite with Large Soaking Tub/Separate Shower Area Glass Shower Doors Throughout Gas Heat/Whole House Air Conditioning High-End Finishings Private Outdoor Deck Wired for a Hot Tub Wi-fi Accessible

Deck

OR Home Office

Laurel Highlands Magazine

Commercial & Residential Surrounding Areas

Explore the Laurel Highlands! From quiet seclusion to exciting outdoor adventure, explore the variety of homes and commercial property available throughout the Laurel Highlands. Our expert Realtors will help you find the home or commercial property of your dreams in a great neighborhood, from communities near the resorts and beyond! It’s important to work with a Realtor who understands your goals. We will find homes and commercial properties that perfectly complement your lifestyle or business and guide you through the buying process every step of the way.

, PA n o n Ver e l Bel

SMITTY’S MARINA, RESTAURANT & BAR 119 RIVER AVE. Offered at $3,250,000 119 River Ave. is a turnkey business with 135 boat slips on the Monongahela River, plus a boat dealership and service business successfully selling & servicing Chaparral Boats for more than 30 years! The property also features a 200-seat restaurant overlooking the river. 119 River Ave is located 20 miles south of Pittsburgh. The property is located 20 miles south and has a liquor license and all state permits required to operate on the river.

A d, P o o ckw o R

1351 COUNTY LINE ROAD 3 Bedrooms | 2 Baths Offered at $289,000 This home is located 2 miles from Seven Springs, sits on 8 acres of land, has a car port with space for two vehicles, and spacious wraparound deck. The gourmet kitchen features stainless steel appliances, large island, and plenty of cabinet space. The property is adjacent to the State Game Lands.

, PA n w sto y o St

CASTAGNA’S RESTAURANT 6167 LINCOLN HWY. Offered at $250,000 6167 Lincoln Hwy., known as Castagna’s Restaurant, is a turnkey restaurant and bar with seating for 120 guests resting on 5.61 acres! The property is located adjacent to Patriot Park Memorial and just a short distance from the entrance of the Flight 93 National Memorial. The route sees approximately 500,000 visitors per day, traveling locally, nationally and internationally. Laurel Highlands Magazine

n de Hid

, ley Val

LOT 39 SOUTH RIDGE DRIVE .6920 Acres Offered at $199,000 Flat & wooded .69 acre corner building lot located in the desirable Stonewood community of Hidden Valley Resort.

, ce n e nflu Co

1 JACOB ST. 10.57 Acres Offered at $175,000 10 plus acres in the borough of Confluence, PA. The property borders the Casselman River and State Route 281. Sewage and water available. This property has endless possibilities.

LOT 7 BLUFFS TRAIL 3.38 Acres Offered at $99,500 Spectacular long-distant views! Build your dream home. Conveniently located near Hidden Valley and Seven Springs resorts, and 200 yards from the state forest. Underground electric, recorded covenants, private road. Live where you play!

Laurel Highlands Magazine

PA al , g e n Do

Buy a home at Seven Springs Mountain Resort and partner with us! Seven Springs Vacation Property Management is the most effective way to rent your vacation home to resort guests! Your property will be marketed to thousands of resort guests who are actively booking their vacations to Seven Springs! Whether a guest is booking at 7springs.com, through our experienced reservation call center or through our group sales program, your vacation home will be top of mind to the most potential overnight guests possible.

We Make Your Rental Experience Simple and Efficient with • 24 hour check in at our Front Desk. You don’t have to coordinate picking up or dropping off keys anywhere. • Security and maintenance issues will always be addressed quickly. You won’t be receiving calls in the middle of the night for issues. • Housekeeping services from an experienced team of professionals who also provide and refresh all linens, towels and toiletries.

Let Our Team of On-Site Professionals Rent Your Vacation Home for You! For more information or to join the most comprehensive vacation rental service on the mountain, contact us today by calling

814-352-2003!

• Welcome amenities for your guests including resort discounts and privileges.

The Premier Vacation Experience of the Laurel Highlands

119 River Ave. Belle Vernon, PA

Marina, Restaurant & Bar TURN-KEY

20 MILES

SOUTH OF PITTSBURGH!

800.227.7502 | HighlandsResortRealty.com

This Riverfront Property Can Be Yours!

• 2.27 Acres of real property • 6 parcels of land with 3 parcels of riverfront • At least 200-seat restaurant & bar • More than 6,000 square feet of restaurant & bar • More than 2,000 square feet of outdoor • Liquor License • • • • • • • • • •

Selling & servicing Chaparral Boats for over 42 years Authorized dealer for Chaparral Boats Approximately 6,000 square feet of boat shop, office & and boat service areas Summer dockage, winter outdoor boat storage, parts & services Includes all state permits required to operate on river 135 boat dock slips with potential to add 30-40 more Over 15 personal watercraft docks Docks have private showers & restroom facilities 20-ton travel lift Public launch ramp adjacent to Marina

• Offered at $3,250,000

Call Today to Learn More! To learn more about 119 River Ave. or to schedule a private tour of the property, please contact:

Harold Scott Swank Broker, Highlands Resort Realty

814-233-3361 sswank@7springs.com

Laurel Highlands Magazine

T U RN KE Y!

6167 Lincoln Highway

Stoystown, PA | Castagna’s Restaurant & Bar

800.227.7502 | HighlandsResortRealty.com

LANDMARK Business on the Lincoln Highway! 6167 Lincoln Highway, known as Castagna’s Restaurant, is a turnkey restaurant and bar with seating for 120 guests resting on 5.61 acres!

The property is located adjacent to Patriot Park Memorial and just a short distance from the entrance of the Flight 93 National Memorial. The route sees approximately 500,000 visitors per day, traveling locally, nationally and internationally.

Offered at $250,000

Call Today to Learn More!

To learn more about 6167 Lincoln Highway or to schedule a private tour of the property, please contact:

Harold Scott Swank

Broker, Highlands Resort Realty

814-233-3361 sswank@7springs.com

Laurel Highlands Magazine

Proudly Serving the Laurel Highlands! Scott Swank Broker of Record

814-233-3361 sswank@highlandsresortrealty.com

John Tierney Seven Springs Realtor 814-572-8383 jtierney@highlandsresortrealty.com

Jenny Harancher

Seven Springs, Hidden Valley and Laurel Highlands Realtor 814-769-3833 jharancher@highlandsresortrealty.com

Dale McK McKinley inley

John Nichols

Hidden Valley Realtor

814-233-0755

724-454-9938

dmckinley@highlandsresortrealty.com

jnichols@highlandsresortrealty.com

Michelle Buccilli

Trent Walters

Seven Springs Realtor

Seven Springs, Hidden Valley and Laurel Highlands Realtor

814-289-1886

814-233-9810

mbuccilli@highlandsresortrealty.com

twalters@highlandsresortrealty.com

Open April Through Mid-November