In 2014, Popular Pittsburgh visited the Pittsburgh Botanic Garden in advance of its public debut. (See Paradise Found article) At that time, work was under way in numerous areas of the garden. Earth movers were grading hillsides, construction workers were renovating the barn, and volunteers were planting. Our tour guide outlined the vision for the garden: how it aimed to inspire people to value plants,
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In the past 4 years of taking nature walks through the woods of North Park, I have removed only three wood ticks from family members, pets, and myself. However, on a recent walk with my husband and son (on a trail that we trek every summer), I was surprised to find nine deer ticks cleverly embedded in our clothing. Luckily, we were left bite-free and
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Excluding salt-water fishing, you’d be hard pressed to find a better place in the country than the Pittsburgh area to be an angler. We have lakes great and small, rivers, streams, creeks, and ponds scattered throughout the area where you can try your skill at snagging a prize catch. Many of these spots also offer ice fishing in the winter. Below are some of the
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Many factors go into choosing a summer camp. The best place to start is with your child. If you want your him or her to be the proverbial “happy camper,” then the selection of a camp should be a joint decision made by you and your child. Fortunately, there are many more options than in days gone by when you simply sent your child to
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Christmas is a season for making memories. To help remember all the things to do, many people start making lists when the holiday season approaches: shopping lists, Christmas card lists, etc. But what about a list detailing things to do to make it your best holiday season ever? The most memorable and enjoyable, instead of just a task list? What would you put on that kind
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My dad and I always keep an eye out for the first leaves to change color and fall every autumn. This list has some of the best Fall family activities. From nature walks and pumpkin carving, to roasting marshmallows and telling spooky tales, you are sure to find something fun for the whole family to do this autumn. Nature Walks It is said that angels
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If you and your family are on the hunt for a fun, new adventure, Laurel Highlands is the prime spot to check out. Filled with natural beauty, incredible historic sites, and one-of-a-kind attractions, this 300 square mile area of the Allegheny Mountain Range is a part of Pennsylvania you will not want to miss out on! Before traveling be sure to read up on some
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One indicator of an environment’s health is a vibrant avian population. With the abundance of wooded areas in and around Pittsburgh, it’s no wonder that according to Birding.com there were 397 species seen in Pennsylvania, making Western Pennsylvania a great place to spot our feathered friends. Most of the time, we go about our lives paying little attention to the birds around us. We tend
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Since ancient times, men have been debating and fighting over who is the toughest guy around. In 1979, that age-old question was posed by two Pittsburgh-area men, Frank Caliguri and Bill Viola. Both men were accomplished martial artists and began pondering: Who would win in a match between Muhammad Ali, Bruce Lee, and Bruno Sammartino? That hypothetical question was the spark that launched CV Productions,
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There are two topics so controversial that to avoid arguments you don’t bring them up in polite company. They are religion and politics. But if you are in Pittsburgh, you may want to add a third subject to that list: pigeons. People in Pittsburgh either love or hate pigeons. Unlike their gray feathers, there is no gray area when it comes to these birds. Some view
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