“Omg I can’t wait to read that” is a thing I say frequently in editorial meetings. That’s because — and this is simply a fact — here at Pittsburgh City Paper, I work with the coolest people in town who routinely find ways to tell the most fascinating, impactful, sometimes hilarious stories around. What a blast it was for me to look back at 2024 and pick out some of my favorite pieces of the year written by this badass team:
I found the Pittsburgh version of my beloved cheese Cosmo, and it’s fantastic by Arts & Entertainment Editor Amanda Waltz // June 3, 2024 Amanda often mentions something casually and then I make her write about it. I’m sure she finds this annoying but she continues to tolerate me — thanks, Amanda! Case in point, an offhand comment about the brilliance that is Uncle Sam’s “cheese cosmo” turned into this story, bringing with it the fearless line, “Let me make this clear — I like a wet sub.”
The boring new Pennsylvania license plate is Pittsburgh erasure by News Editor Colin Williams // July 11, 2024
Colin is a dogged newshound (pun intended) and seasoned reporter, but he’s also not afraid to give his opinion, and I love when he does. In this case, you know we were all thinking it. He was just the one to say it out loud, and we should thank him.
Mrs. Soffel was a cougar who might still haunt The Shiloh Gastro, pining for her Biddle brothers boy toy by Staff Writer Rachel Wilkinson // Apr. 24, 2024 This year, Rachel took up the spooky beat, telling tales of Pittsburgh’s old haunts (literally) such as in a roundup of haunted restaurants, and in a peek at the ghosts roaming the National Aviary. This one, though, was probably my favorite specter story. With betrayal, passion, and a jail break, what’s not to love?
Yinzer Yums of Yesteryear: High octane eggnog by Audience Engagement Specialist Stacy Rounds // July 11, 2024 Stacy, who already does, I don’t know, everything around here, took it upon herself this year to start a delightful series in which she resurrects OG yinzer recipes and shares her journey making them with the masses. There are so many good examples of this, but my favorite is this boozetastic eggnog that she brought in for us to try. I took some to a holiday part and it lit up everyone’s night. Just imbibe with caution!
Image from Phantom Worm Eating Challenge at Kennywood by Staff Photographer Mars Johnson // Oct. 11, 2024
Kennywood is holding a worm-eating contest? Tell me less, I thought. I didn’t need any more details, I simply knew I had to contact Mars right away to make sure they moved mountains to be there and photograph it. From that excursion came this incredible image that somehow captures fear, disgust, and determination all in one, as only Mars could.
Illustration of Joe Long by Editorial Designer Jeff Schreckengost // Nov. 13, 2024 How do you turn a good cover boy into a great cover boy? By giving him the Jeff treatment. TikTok sensation Joe Long had a real moment in 2024, with his face becoming one of the most recognizable in “tahn” almost overnight. For our profile on the local content creator, Jeff whipped up this awesome portrait that was almost as beautiful as Joe’s face tattoo.
This article appears in Dec 25-31, 2024.
