In brief: Richland, Pine happenings, week of March 18, 2024

‘Mamma Mia!’ at Pine-Richland

Performances of “Mamma Mia!” continue on March 22 and 23 at Pine-Richland High School.

Shows are at 7:30 p.m. both days, plus a 2 p.m. matinee on Saturday.

Beattie students of month

Two Pine-Richland High School juniors were named student of the month at A.W. Beattie Career Center for January/February: Jessica Bui for culinary arts and Syd Kisow for surgical sciences technology.

Egg hunt in Pine

Pine’s annual Easter egg hunt is scheduled from 10:30 a.m. to noon March 23 at the Pine Athletic Complex turf fields.

Start times are 10:45 for children ages 1 to 3, 10:55 for ages 4 to 6, and 11:05 for ages 7 to 9. One egg in each group will have a golden ticket, with the winners receiving gift baskets.

The event is free for Pine residents and $6 for nonresidents, and the Easter bunny will be in attendance.

Good Friday men’s breakfast

A Good Friday community men’s Breakfast is scheduled for 7:30 a.m. March 29 at the First Presbyterian Church of Bakerstown, 5825 Heckert Road, Richland.

Guest Speaker is Kent Chevalier, chaplain to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Cost is $12 for adults and $6 for 10 and under, payable at the door. Reservations are needed by calling 724-443-1555.

Good Friday women’s breakfast

A Good Friday community women’s breakfast is scheduled for 8 a.m. March 29 at Bakerstown United Methodist Church, 5760 William Flynn Highway, Richland.

Guest Speaker is the Rev. Barbara Stoehr, retired from Butler First United Methodist Church and retired staff chaplain at UPMC Presbyterian/Shadyside. The title of her message is “Double Vision.”

Cost is $10 per person, payable at the door. Reservations are needed. Call the church office at 724-443-3184 by March 25.

Richland leaf pickup

Richland’s spring leaf pickup day is scheduled for April 3.

All bags must be out prior to 6 a.m., and all items must be in biodegradable paper bags for pickup. Plastic bags are not acceptable. Please limit each bag to 40 pounds.

The collection will include bagged garden residue and vegetative material. Tree trimmings must be tied/bound branches no larger than 3 inches diameter and not exceeding 48 inches in length.

Play bridge at Pine center

The Pine Community Center will be host free bridge play from 2 to 3:30 p.m. April 2, April 17, May 1 and May 15.

There will be no formal instruction, so some general working knowledge of bridge is helpful. A deck of cards will be available, but you are welcome to bring your own.

This program is for adults and seniors.

‘Biddle Boys and Kate Soffel’ program

The Richland History Group will host “The Fascinating Biddle Boys and Kate Soffel 1902 Escapade” by Butler historian and storyteller Bill May from 10:30 a.m. to noon April 6 at First Presbyterian Church of Bakerstown, 5825 Heckert Road.

May will present rare photos and details not previously revealed about the Biddles’ escape from the Allegheny County Prison, which captivated America at the time and served as the basis for the 1984 movie “Mrs. Soffel,” starring Diane Keaton and Mel Gibson.

Following May’s presentation, Nelson Crooks will conduct a brief sanctuary tour of the 1867 church, which the Biddles and Soffel passed right by with a stolen horse and sleigh on their attempted Butler Plank Road death-row escape.

The program is open to everyone, and free coffee and refreshments will be provided. Please preregister with the Richland History Group at 724-443-1112.

Pine Earth Day event

An Earth Day event is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. April 27 at the Pine Community Center, 100 Pine Park Drive. Everyone is welcome.

For a list of vendors, information booths, workshops and entertainment, visit twp.pine.pa.us/484/Earth-Day-Event-2024.

Environmental council seedling sale

North Area Environmental Council is holding its annual seedling sale, offering a variety of non-invasive plants, trees and wildflower seed mixes to add to the beauty and natural habitat of yards and the ecological health of the region.

Deadline for ordering is April 3. Pickup will be on April 27 at the Latodami Nature Center. Visit www.naecwpa.org for more information about the sale and to place orders.

Northern Tier Library programs

• Coffee & Crime Book Club, 6 p.m. March 25 at the Pine Community Center. The discussion topic is “The Guest List” by Lucy Foley.

On a picturesque island off the western coast of Ireland, friends and loved ones gather to celebrate the wedding of Jules and Will. But when one of the wedding guests is found murdered, the remote island becomes a horrific modern take on a classic whodunit.

• The Pine Needles, 4 p.m. March 26 at the Pine Community Center. All yarn enthusiasts are invited. Beginners can learn how to knit or crochet. Experienced crafters are welcome to bring a project on which to work. Registration is requested.

• Memory Care, 6 p.m. March 28. Erin McMaster, memory care adviser from Arden Courts — ProMedica Memory Care Community in Ross Township, will provide a look at the world of memory loss. Registration is required.

• P-R Pokémon Club, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. April 1. Bring your cards or games and join other Pokémon trainers at the library to trade and play together. Boards will be available for the card game, and a Pokémon-related project will be there to enjoy.

The event is self-directed and open to children, teens and their families. Registration is required.

• Trivia Time: Survivalist Edition, 6 to 8 p.m. April 5. Test your expertise in all things hiking, nature and survival. Compete in teams of up to four to win a prize.

This program is 21-plus and BYOB. Tickets are $5 per person or $15 for a team of four, and payment is required upon registration.

To submit information for inclusion in Briefs, email hfunk@triblive.com.