Editor’s letter: Main Street celebration
This edition celebrates our local Main Streets, starting with our cover story from Katherine Mansfield. She profiled Downtown Shana Brown, which, if you’ve not had the pleasure of meeting her and her delightful family, you’ll want to after reading this story. Brown is the main street manager of the Washington Business District Authority and took over the organization in 2021. She’d been busy since, creating new events to entice visitors and locals alike to stroll the streets of downtown Washington, making her rhyming moniker all the more fitting. She is also frequently flanked by her husband, Ben, and their three children.
I’m sure you’ve seen the adorable promotions leading up to the Running of the Wools this May. Still, if you haven’t, I highly encourage you to find and read our Feb. 21 story, “Spread the ‘ewes!’ Running of the Wools coming in May,” the cover photo of which has Brown snuggling with a sheep in front of Farmers and Friends Marketplace on Main Street. Hope to see you at the Observer-Reporter’s First Friday event in conjunction with Brown’s sheepy celebration, “Sheep-O de Mayo,” on May 5 and the sheep race on May 6! I’m sure it’ll be a wooly good time.
And in celebrating Canonsburg’s main street, West Pike Street, we’ve featured the four local independently owned ice creameries in and around Canonsburg, including Iceburg’s in Canonsburg. We’re also serving up Casciola’s Twin Twist and Diner, Lovie’s in Houston and Turtle Twist. Sure, it’s still spring, but soon enough, temperatures will take a turn, and we’ll all scream for ice cream. So hit up the ATM, grab some cash and head out to one of these favorites, where the sweetest of memories are made.
If you don’t have much of a sweet tooth, don’t worry! We also have a savory story in this magazine. The former Buford’s location at The Street at the Meadows is now Weirton, W.Va. favorite Dee Jay’s. Their signature sauce and ribs are tasty, but if you’re still hungry for Buford’s signature brunch, they’ve got you covered there, too.
This definitely turned into a delicious collection of stories. Thanks so much for reading. Take care, stay safe and see you in the next edition.