In brief: Herald area events for the week of Sept. 9, 2024
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Class of 1979 to gather for 45th reunion
The Fox Chapel Area High School Class of 1979 is planning its 45th reunion at 7 p.m. Sept. 21 at the Regina Elena Social Club in Sharpsburg.
Tickets are $30.
To purchase tickets and to view a list of who is coming, visit https://myevent.com/fchs45th-reunion.
For additional details and to catch up with classmates, visit Fox Chapel High School Class 1979—-45th Reunion Site on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/groups/417199485220.
Stepping-stone fundraiser to benefit community center
The Lauri Ann West Community Center is looking to personalize its Reflection Garden at the Scott Family Patio with a stepping-stone fundraiser.
A limited number of engravable stones are available, and each can be reserved with a donation of $500.
The uniquely shaped stones measure about 18 inches in diameter.
Proceeds will enable the center to continue to beautify the property as well as make other facility improvements.
Families are invited to memorialize a loved one or leave a legacy message. Space is limited to four lines and 20 characters per line, including spaces; depending on the stone’s size, some adjustments might be necessary.
Businesses, schools, civic groups and garden clubs also can purchase stones as community partners.
For details and to download a copy of the order form, visit lauriannwestcc.org and click on “Support the Center” in the top menu.
Checks should be made out to Lauri Ann West Community Center and mailed to the center at 1220 Powers Run Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15238.
Blood donors sought
September is National Preparedness Month, and the American Red Cross and Vitalant are urging prospective blood donors to take action.
To help boost awareness about the importance of maintaining a strong blood supply, Gov. Josh Shapiro designated Sept. 4 as National Blood Donation Day.
“Every two seconds, someone in the United States needs blood, from medical emergencies to critical treatments for conditions such as cancer or sickle cell disease,” said Jorge Martinez, CEO of the Red Cross Greater Pennsylvania Region. “Giving blood is a meaningful way to help your community, and now is the perfect time to roll up a sleeve to make a potentially lifesaving difference.”
Blood donations are crucial year-round, especially type O, the most frequently transfused blood type.
To find a Red Cross location near you and to learn more about blood donation, including eligibility information, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
Vitalant, which operates about 115 donation centers nationwide, is thanking donors who give through Oct. 5 with a chance to win one of five $5,000 prepaid gift cards of their choice through its Pumpkin Spice Giveaway. In addition, all donors will receive an “instant costume” T-shirt in time for Halloween through the Donor Rewards program, while supplies last.
To find a Vitalant location near you and make an appointment, visit vitalant.org, download and use the Vitalant app, or call 877-25-VITAL (877-258-4825).
Hard-to-recycle events set for fall
The Pennsylvania Resources Council is sponsoring its final hard-to-recycle collections for the year in partnership with the Allegheny County Health Department:
• 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 28: Settlers Cabin Park, Wave Pool parking lot, 600 Ridge Road, Robinson, PA 15205
• 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 5: Next Tier Connect @ Pittsburgh East, 4350 Northern Pike, Monroeville, PA 15146
A participant fee of $5 per vehicle covers the unlimited disposal of cellphone and home phones, computer towers and peripheral equipment (keyboards, laptops, mice, etc.), copiers and scanners, expanded polystyrene packaging material, microwave ovens, video game consoles, DVD players, VCRs and stereos.
For a per-item fee, individuals can recycle televisions ($35) and computer monitors ($20), printers ($5), fluorescent tubes ($2 per 4-foot tube), small Freon appliances such as window AC units and dehumidifiers ($10 each) and car tires ($12 with rims and $5 without rims).
For a complete list of accepted items, visit prc.org/workshops-collection-events/collection-events/hard-to-recycle-items or call 412-488-7490.
Participants must register in advance at prc.org/CollectionEvents; space is limited.
Wiggle Time open to youngest library patrons
Sharpsburg Community Library hosts Wiggle Time, a storytime for babies and toddlers with their caregivers, from 10:30 to 11 a.m. on Thursdays. The program is designed for children from birth to age 2.
Registrations are recommended. Drop-ins are welcome as space permits.
For details, call 412-781-0783.
Library comedy night to feature Brittany Alexis
Cooper-Siegel Community Library invites the community to Season Two of its popular comedy series “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Library” from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Sept. 22.
The show for patrons 18 and older will feature headliner Brittany Alexis.
Alexis is an up-and-coming comic on the Pittsburgh comedy scene. She has performed on stages across the city, including at the Improv, Arcade Comedy Theater and Byham Theater, and has opened for the likes of Maria Bamford, Joe Pera and Zainab Johnson. She began her journey in comedy to become a better public speaker but fell in love with the craft.
Emcees for the evening will be Mike DiGuglielmo and special guest Stacey Fleurime.
Dancing Gnome Beer returns as a sponsor. Doors will open at 6.30 p.m.
The cost is $20, and there are a limited number of seats available.
To register, call the library at 412-828-9520 or visit online at coopersiegelcommunitylibrary.org and click on the respective event under Events and Classes.
Caper Part 2 fundraiser set Sept. 21
Roots of Faith is presenting its Great Heinz Caper Part 2: Murder on Main at staggered 15-minute intervals from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sept. 21 in Sharpsburg.
The live game of “Clue” will begin and end at Roots of Faith, 800 Main St. The clues are spread throughout borough businesses.
The story: At last year’s caper, Gino from Gino Brothers Pizza Bar was arrested for stealing the renowned Andy Warhol painting of ketchup bottles from the Heinz factory. Gino says he was framed, and Katie from Love, Katie Distilling and Nanci from Ketchup City Creative were seen exchanging money when Gino was arrested. Now a murder on Main Street and a clue at the murder site has the whole town abuzz. Who really stole the painting? Who committed the murder? Who is the mastermind behind this dark scheme?
Participants can sign up as an individual or team to try to solve the mystery in the shortest amount of time to win $500. Participants have three hours to solve the mystery.
The winner will be announced and the “murderer” will be arrested at 5 p.m. at Roots of Faith. There also will be prizes awarded for best costume for a team and best costume for an individual.
Tickets are free for Sharpsburg residents and $10 each for nonresidents. Roots of Faith, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary, is asking everyone to bring a birthday card for its birthday wall and, if you can, to donate $10. (Participants should bring their birthday card and donation with them.)
Residents can register at https://tinyurl.com/yps99nt9, and nonresidents can purchase tickets through Eventbrite at https://tinyurl.com/ytaukuve.
All proceeds benefit Roots of Faith.
Touch-A-Truck event to benefit Blawnox pantry
The Fox Chapel Police Department invites the community to “see, touch, explore, honk” during its second annual Touch-A-Truck event from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 21 behind the borough building, 401 Fox Chapel Road.
The event is for all ages and will include emergency vehicles, construction vehicles, tow trucks and more.
Admission is free with a monetary or nonperishable food item for the Blawnox Community Food Pantry, which serves the Fox Chapel Area School District.
There also will be activities for children.
Garden club’s fundraiser slated for Oct. 16-18
The Garden Club of Allegheny County is celebrating its 110th anniversary and the 28th year of Pizzazz, a boutique shopping benefit set for Oct. 16-18 at the Fox Chapel Golf Club, 426 Fox Chapel Road.
The event has raised more than $2 million to fund environmental and conservation projects throughout the Pittsburgh region.
This year’s event will feature more than 30 boutiques from across the country and Scotland. Merchandise will include men’s, women’s and children’s clothing and accessories, jewelry, leather goods, gifts, home décor, linens, personalized stationery and specialty food items.
There will be a preview party from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 16. Tickets are $150.
Shopping hours will be from 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Oct. 17 and 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 18. Admission each day is $10 or $45 for admission and lunch at the club’s Tavern Room from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 17-18. Advance ticket purchase for lunch is advised.
For details, visit https://www.gcacpgh.org/pizzazz or call 412-967-9081.
Sharpsburg flea market runs Sundays through October
Sharpsburg Community Flea Market is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sundays through the end of October along North Canal and Tenth streets.
The cost is $5 per spot for vendors.
For details, call Chas Smith at 412-927-9221.
Celebration of Recovery set; game room opening soon
Addiction Recovery Ministry invites the community to its third annual Celebration of Recovery from 6 to 9 p.m. Sept. 21 at the John Paul I Center, 201 Ninth St. in Sharpsburg.
The legacy of the Rev. Michael Decewicz, who died in November at 72, will be celebrated. Decewicz, a recovering alcoholic, founded Addiction Recovery Ministry and served as its director.
There will be music, art and light refreshments.
To RSVP by Sept. 10, call Rosemarie Haas at 412-378-9290.
In addition, the ministry has announced the Sept. 27 opening of the Michael Decewicz Sober Game Room for people in recovery.
The game room will be open from 7 to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays at the John Paul I Center.
Help available for people grieving loved ones
Are you grieving the loss of a loved one or know someone who is?
Consider joining GriefShare for hope, healing and guidance.
GriefShare is a 13-week Christian faith-based support group that will be offered weekly from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Thursdays, starting Sept. 12 through Dec. 12, at Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church, 384 Fox Chapel Road.
For details or questions, contact Kim Power at 412-965-8794 or kimfpower@gmail.com.
Visit griefshare.org/findagroup to register directly.
Fall Fabric Fair set for Salvation Army
The Salvation Army is hosting its Fall Fabric Fair from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Oct. 5 at the Salvation Army Pittsburgh Temple Worship and Service Center, 1060 McNeilly Road, Mt. Lebanon.
The popular one-day sale is made possible by the Salvation Army’s Greater Pittsburgh Women’s Auxiliary
For more than three decades, the twice-a-year fundraiser — held in the spring and fall — has offered bargains on rare fabrics, unique patterns and a variety of materials and equipment needed for crocheting, knitting, quilting and “sew” much more. The fabric fairs have raised nearly $750,000 over the years, with all proceeds providing critical assistance to individuals and families throughout Allegheny County.
Shoppers are advised to come early for the best selection. After exploring indoors, visitors can enjoy a $10 bag sale outside, which will be stocked with a variety of materials.
Admission is free and complimentary parking will be available on-site, with free shuttles running from two satellite parking locations at Keystone Oaks High School and Keystone Oaks Middle School. Snacks and lunch items also will be available for purchase.
Carts and strollers are prohibited, and reusable shopping bags are highly encouraged.
The Fall Fabric Fair is a community-driven event made possible thanks to donations of all the items for sale. There is always a need for donated items, as well as additional volunteers to measure and sort fabric in preparation for the fair.
Donations are being accepted from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesdays (February through October) at the Salvation Army’s warehouse in Green Tree, rear of 820 Parish St.
Fabric donations will not be accepted during the actual Fabric Fair event.
For details, call 412-446-1500 or visit salvationarmywpa.org/fabricfair. For a peek at items for sale, follow the Salvation Army Greater Pittsburgh Women’s Auxiliary on Facebook and @salarmypgh on Instagram.
The Spring Fabric Fair is set for Saturday, April 12.
Pantry items wanted
Sharpsburg Community Library needs items for its Little Free Pantry at 1212 Main St.
Items needed include tomato sauce, pasta, tuna, cereal, mac and cheese, fruit snacks, peanut butter, snack packs and shelf-stable milk.
Items not needed include applesauce, pretzels, fruit cups, pudding, canned soup, canned beans and toiletry products.
Donations can be made during library hours from 1 to 7 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1 to 5 p.m. Fridays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays.
The pantry is stocked three times weekly and is completely supported through donations.
For details, call the library at 412-781-0783.
Sharpsburg seeks volunteers for bicentennial events
Sharpsburg will celebrate its 200th birthday in 2026.
Residents interested in planning or volunteering to help with any events are invited to sign up for the borough’s Bicentennial Committee.
To access the signup form, visit sharpsburgborough.com and scanning the QR code under the header “Want to help plan the bicentennial events?”
The borough anticipates having multiple events throughout the anniversary year and will need lots of help.
Group offers support for weight loss
All are welcome to join the men and women at Oakmont TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) who are learning how to lose weight.
With in-person meetings, rewards, support and encouragement, we gain knowledge of healthy eating and exercise.
You may visit with no obligation Tuesdays at 5:45 p.m. at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 1261 Pennsylvania Ave. in Oakmont. Weigh-in is private followed by a brief business meeting, sharing time, and educational program all ending by 7:15.
There is well-lit parking, wheelchair accessibility and security. For details, call 412-828-3854 or e-mail jmjkwj@gmail.com.