The Ultimate Beauty Spa found a perfect way to celebrate Mother’s Day and the 10-year anniversary of the Ultimate Beauty Spa now located in Squirrel Hill. On May 8 at the elegant and historic Omni William Penn Hotel, ladies were invited to don their favorite chapeaux for a spot of tea.

POSING FOR THE CAMERA—Carol Lacy, Sabrina Clark and C. Denise Johnson.

Leslie Askerneese (owner and manager of the Ultimate Beauty Spa) and Donna Baxter (Web mistress and owner of TheSoulPitt.com) were the perfect hostesses to a relaxing and fun afternoon. Guests sipped on English Breakfast, Xiao’s Blend, Hibiscus Blend, Earl Grey with Bergamot and Black Currant tea while they enjoyed chicken waldorf, smoked salmon and roasted vegetable sandwiches.

Bananas aren’t just for breakfast or lunch anymore. By grilling this popular fruit, you can add a whole new flavor dimension to a dinner­time recipe and turn a basic dessert into something wow.

Adding bananas to your summer grilling routine is a fun way to eat fruit. You can grill them in their peels while the BBQ coals are still hot or add peeled slices to a tasty kabob—it’s that simple. From kid-friendly desserts to grown-up dishes with a tropical twist, make it easy on yourself and go bananas on the grill.

Island Kabobs with Tropical Fruit Salsa

The Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary honored a record 23 graduates during its commencement ceremony May 21, at Memorial Park Presbyterian Church in Allison Park, Pa. Fifteen graduates received their three-year master of divinity degrees, six graduates received their two-year master of theological studies degrees, one received her missionary training certificate and another received her servant of the church certificate.

JOSPHAT MWATHI

Richard Holdeman, a 2005 RPTS alum and president of its board of trustees, was the commencement speaker. Holdeman is pastor of the Reformed Presbyterian Church in Bloomington, Ind., and a lecturer in the department of biology at Indiana University. The event was open to the ­public.

From the exquisite artwork that adorns the walls of the offices of Sharon McDaniel Lowe, Ph.D., founder of A Second Chance, Inc., there is an attitude of compassion, commitment and professionalism. Those attributes of the president and CEO, as well as her dedicated employees, are the basis of a genuine passion that has catapulted the non-profit entity into a most successful venture.

SHARON McDANIEL LOWE

The only known organization in the country that exclusively provides “kinship care,” Lowe proudly states that the origin of the name hails from African roots. The American Heritage Dictionary describes kinship care as “family relationship…connection by blood, marriage or adoption.” But for Lowe, the description goes far beyond that entry. Her definition includes a combination of historical significance and a deeply-rooted compassion for the young.