Now Accepting Applications for the 2026 Luminari Award Our annual search for Pittsburgh’s next young luminare is officially underway, and applications are now open for the 2026 Luminari Award, a prestigious merit-based scholarship for students in grades 7–11. One exceptional …
Cruising Along: Even When It’s Not What You Planned by Dana Wineland O’Rourke, contributing writer Every day is a gift, and milestones should be celebrated. My husband, Tim, and I married September 30, 1978. We chose that as our wedding …
A Thanksgiving surprise, served with pasta and perspective by Margot Callahan, contributing writer What is it about being American that makes us think that we’re the center of the world? It’s an interesting psychological quirk, that fortunately, isn’t only American. …
by Beth Dolinar, contributing writer “For the shipwreck, start in a minor key.” That was the advice from a seasoned songwriter who was among a group of guitar players and singers in what’s known as Folk Song Circle. It’s a …
by Dana Wineland O’Rourke, contributing writer This summer, our nine-year-old granddaughter Gianna expressed how much she wanted to have an all-cousin sleepover at my house before everyone headed back to school. I never want to disappoint her but explained that …
by Beth Dolinar, contributing writer My parents came home after I’d already gone to bed. I was in 8th grade and it was a school night. “Come on down,” my father called upstairs. I walked into the kitchen and there …
by Margot Callahan, contributing writer For most of my life, I didn’t know much about where my food came from, and like most people, I was okay with that. Then, I got my list of chores from the Amish …
by Luminari featuring recipes created by our 2025 campers Camp Delicious! students wrapped up the week with flavor during our Mystery Box Competition on our last day of summer camp. With surprise ingredients such as Belgium dark chocolate, caramel cheese, …
Recently, Tom Berich, Operations Manager at Luminari, spoke with Cooper Hernishen, a student from Bethel Park High School just outside Pittsburgh. In June 2025, Cooper had the chance to attend the latest Music Makers! camp. As you’ll discover in this …
by Dana Wineland O’Rourke, contributing writer I’m old enough to remember being in awe of switching out my slide rule for a calculator, so keeping up with smart devices and technology is both intimidating and surprising. While I’ve been aware …
