Scott Tady: Tea, coffee & beer sites bring entertainment to Ambridge, Aliquippa & Ellwood City

A new YouTube series, "Food Fix," debuts with a profile of Aunt Bridget’s Tea Room in Ambridge.

The 14-minute episode begins with its upbeat host, Houston-based chef and restauranteur, Dominique Hermez, walking past Ambridge historic sites like Old Economy Village and the Ambridge-Aliquippa Bridge. Hermez then strolls into Aunt Bridget's Tea Room, at 1400 Duss Ave., to chat with owner Holly Mathias, who shares how a career setback put her on a surprising path to becoming a food entrepreneur.

"The Tea Room pays homage to Miss Holly’s Irish heritage, boasting an Irish pub atmosphere where everybody knows your name," Hermez says, adding, "It’s like 'Cheers,' but with a cup o’ tea instead of a pint o’ Guinness."

Mathias shares with viewers the recipe for her shop's best-selling Irish Cottage Pie.

I recommend watching the episode at youtube.com. Follow "Food Fix" on TikTok at @food.fix.show.

Each "Food Fix" episode "uncovers the secrets of local restaurants and food businesses across the country," offering candid conversations with new and veteran food entrepreneurs revealing how they've overcome personal and professional obstacles to make their food dreams come true, the program's bio says.

But of all the coffee joints and tea rooms in the country, what made the show start at Aunt Bridget's?

"It was the producer, Beth Cochran, who approached me," Mathias said. "A native of Beaver County, she has been a TV producer for many years. She came home during COVID, Google-d where to find tea, and came across my website."

Cochran, a Beaver High grad, is an Emmy Award nominated executive producer whose resume includes reality TV shows like "House Hunters" and "Married at First Sight," talk show like "Dr. Phil" and soap opera "General Hospital."

"I created 'Food Fix' after hearing the many inspirational stories of local restaurant owners and food entrepreneurs who struggled so much through the pandemic," Cochran told me. "They not only managed to keep their doors open but also continued to support their communities in some way. These food businesses are often the heart of their communities… whether it’s a small town or a big city, whether it’s been passed down through generations or an opportunity to do something new and follow a passion, like Holly Mathias did with Aunt Bridget’s."

Her brother, Corey Cochran, who lives in Beaver Falls, does the show's graphics and editing for social media.

An upcoming "Food Fix" episode features Caliente Pizza and Draft House in Sewickley.

"We’ve also filmed episodes in Pittsburgh and Port Allegheny, Pa., Houston and Galveston, Texas, as well as aroundTampa and Orlando," Cochran said. "We recently filmed at EPCOT’s Flower and Garden Festival in Walt Disney World."

Uncommon concert in Aliquippa

The Uncommon Concerts & Conversations series continues July 15 at Uncommon Grounds Café in Aliquippa.

The 5:30 p.m. concert stars Pittsburgh-area chamber choir Voces Solis and the all-female string group Kassia Ensemble.

After the performance, the musicians will engage in a conversation with the public. Coffee and ice cream will be available.

"If you are a musician or music lover, or if you have musical students who might be served by conversing with professional musicians, please invite them to come," said Pamela Rossi-Keen of the Genesis Collective, the arts-minded community group collaborating with Uncommon Grounds Café on Season Two of “Uncommon Concerts," a free, family-friendly series featuring musicians, food trucks, kids' activities and conversations about art and creativity.

The cafe, at 380 Franklin Ave., next hosts an Aug. 19 series finale with Pittsburgh bluegrass group the Shelf Life String Band and soul singer Kenny Sharp.

Pop in for breakfast and lunch Tuesdays through Saturdays at Uncommon Grounds, for a menu that includes espressos, lattes, soups, sandwiches, grits and tacos.

Beaver grad becomes delegate

Shannon Witkouski, a Beaver High graduate, was selected as a student delegate for the Percussive Arts Society (PAS).

The Westminster College sophomore music education and performance major, is among 33 student delegates worldwide who will serve as a liaison between student percussionists and the PAS, the world’s largest percussion organization with over 5,000 members, 40 U.S. chapters and 28 chapters abroad. The organization is a chief networking source for drummers of all ages.

A member of the Titan Marching Band, Symphonic Band, Symphonic Orchestra, Percussion Ensemble and Wind Ensemble at Westminster, Witkouski, of Brighton Township, is also a freelance musician who's performed with Belle Voci in Pittsburgh and the Beaver Valley Choral Society.

Ellwood bash & beer

I made it out to Ewing Park last weekend for Ellwood City's big July 4th weekend bash.

I enjoyed seeing Beaver County band Hat Trick rocking out to cover songs ranging from Dierks Bentley to Tom Petty, and Fleetwood Mac to 4 Non Blondes.

I also enjoyed listening to the classic country of Tony Barge's Honkytonk Heroes, though couldn't see the stage much, as at that point we festivalgoers were jam-packed in park shelters to avoid a hearty rainstorm. The downpour didn't last long.

I like how the Ewing Park stage has built-in wooden seats for spectators, sparing senior citizens the hassle of lugging around folding chairs.

While in Ellwood, I also popped into The Time Brewpub, a craft brewery that quaintly maintained the charm of the building's previous purpose as an elementary school. The appetizers and beer were good. The Time often hosts bands on Saturdays, with other evening activities like trivia nights and '80s music video parties.

What a concept

If you arrived early enough June 24 for the Big & Rich concert on the Bridgewater side of the Veterans Memorial Bridge, you witnessed warmup act Kahone Concept featuring a singer-guitarist wrestling on stage and throwing make-believe punches at his Elvis Presley-impersonating drummer.

That's just part of the done-for-fun theatrics of Kahone Concept, a Pittsburgh indie-pop act generating attention for its catchy songs and quirky persona.

Featured on Pittsburgh's adult album alternative station WYEP-FM (91.3), Kahone Concept shared last week on Spotify and iTunes its latest single, "Kung Fu Kahone."

Frontman Ben Orrvick explains the inspiration: "I wanted to make a song that made me feel like I did when I was 7 watching Power Rangers. I'm talking jumping off the couch, rolling around and the whole nine yards."

Scott Tady is entertainment editor at The Times and easy to reach at stady@timesonline.com.

This article originally appeared on Beaver County Times: Tady: Tea, coffee, beer sites bring fun to Ambridge, Aliquippa & Ellwood