In brief: Plum, Oakmont area news, events for the week of Nov. 4, 2024
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Third Annual Oakmont gourd drive on tap
Oakmont Borough’s third annual Gourds for Goats collection kicked off Monday, Nov. 4.
During the past few summers, the owners of Capricious LLC have brought goats to Oakmont to maintain overgrown vegetation along the Allegheny River bank. In return, the borough hosts an annual drive to provide the “Munch Bunch” with gourds and pumpkins, which provide goats with vitamins A and C, as well as calcium, fiber, potassium and antioxidants that help protect goats from cancer.
A gourd is any fruit or seed that grows inside of a shell or peel, whether it be the pumpkin, squash, watermelon or cucumber family. Gourds also help improve the goats’ blood circulation, boost their immune systems, aid with digestion, improve eyesight, lessen the effects of poison hemlock ingestion and buffer action against stomach acidity.
Donations can be dropped off at 3 Ann St. through Dec. 2. Borough officials ask that people clean the gourds before bringing them to the collection bin. Do not donate painted pumpkins.
First woman added to school police force in Plum
The Plum School District’s police force has its first female officer.
The school board approved hiring Rachel Katchmar, effective Oct. 23. She will be paid $29.50 per hour.
Katchmar, who said she has more than 24 years of experience in law enforcement, said she has experience “walking the beat” in communities and looks forward to working with students and being a positive influence.
She replaces Michael DeMarco, who resigned effective Oct. 16. The school district hired DeMarco near the beginning of 2024 after he retired from the Plum Borough police department. DeMarco said he resigned to fully retire.
Plum School Board adopts policy on memorials
The Plum School Board has approved a new policy governing memorials for deceased students and staff.
The policy covers the creation of temporary and permanent memorials and recognitions in yearbooks and at graduation. It also outlines memorials and activities that would be prohibited.
Existing memorials established before the policy was adopted will remain unless the district decides it’s necessary to move or remove them.
Plum School Board approves personnel moves
The Plum School Board approved several retirements, resignations and hires at its Oct. 22 meeting.
Charles Froelich, a teacher at Plum High School and O’Block Elementary, will retire effective June 3. Bus driver John Quinlisk will retire on Dec. 31. Deanna McCarrison, a paraprofessional at O’Block, resigned as of Oct. 11. High school paraprofessional Christopher Schell retired Oct. 18.
The board approved hiring Susan Walters as a bus aide effective Oct. 23 at an hourly rate of $17.65. Debra Pfeiffer was hired as a full-time administrative assistant in facilities/print shop effective Nov. 4 at a salary of $45,708.
Mary Petrosky was changed from a van driver to a full-time bus driver, while Tom Miller was changed from a substitute bus driver to a full-time, half-day bus driver, both effective Oct. 23 at $24.27 per hour.
AARP meeting slated
Plum AARP will hold its monthly meeting at noon on Nov. 12 at Unity Community Church, 215 Trestle Road in Plum. The Program will be Randy Riggle, comedian and celebrity impersonator. Tickets will be on sale for $30 for the Christmas Party, to be held Dec. 10 at Palmieri’s.
Monetary donations are being accepted for Christmas gifts for patients at the veterans hospital in O’Hara.
Plum AARP is a social/service organization, open to residents of Plum, Penn Hills, Monroeville, and surrounding communities.
AARP also hosts a spring luncheon, an August social and two hot dog lunches a year. Meeting offer free cake and coffee, as well as entertainment or a speaker. Members also can sign up for one-day or longer trips through Thomas Tours or Louise Grassi Tours.
Newcomers are welcome at regular monthly meetings, held at noon at the church on the second Tuesday of each month.
For more information, call Mary Lou at 724 327-8265.
Dollar Bank gives Plum $10K for Rachel’s Challenge
For the third consecutive year, the Dollar Bank Foundation presented the Plum School District with a $10,000 grant through the Plum Mustang Foundation to support the Rachel’s Challenge bullying and school violence prevention initiative.
Rachel’s Challenge was founded by the family of Rachel Scott, the first victim of the 1999 Columbine High School shooting, and has become the most extensive youth violence prevention school program in the world.
The donation will support the Rachel’s Challenge positive behavior curriculum at each grade level, bringing assemblies into the schools. It will also support awards and recognition for students who display positive behaviors and support Friends of Rachel student clubs and activities.
Thanksgiving food drive in Oakmont
The Hummel family is hosting their annual Thanksgiving food drive at Fox’s Pizza Den in Oakmont.
The most-needed donations are flour, sugar, canned pumpkin, canned sweet potatoes, boxed stuffing mix, cereal, canned vegetables and fruits, nonperishable canned goods, turkey gravy, canned cranberry sauce, baking spices, nonperishable pie crusts, canned pie fruit and Giant Eagle gift cards for turkeys.
Donations will be accepted every Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 8 p.m. at Fox’s Pizza Den, 314 Allegheny River Blvd., through Nov. 19.
Donations will be given to the Riverview Communuity Action Corporation Food Bank and the Rosedale Food Pantry for distribution to those in need.
Monetary donations also will be accepted to purchase Thanksgiving meal gift cards for those impacted by the Rustic Ridge home explosion.
Lori Hummel will be hosting a “Wrap up Party” on Nov. 20 from 4 to 7 p.m. at Fox’s Pizza Den. Gift cards and monetary donations can be brought to the wrap up party.
Veterans Day dinner planned
Oakmont Elks will host a Veterans Day dinner at 5 p.m. on Nov. 11 at the lodge, 106 Washington Ave.
Doors will open at 4:30 p.m. There will be a parade of service flags, and Plum High School ROTC will perform the Vacant Table ceremony before dinner.
The menu includes roast pork loin, sides, salad, dessert, rolls and butter, and coffee or tea. Veterans attend for free. The cost for their guests to attend is $10 each.
Reservations are required. For reservations, call 412-828-1668.
Fall leaf collection runs through Dec. 6
Plum’s fall leaf collection is underway and runs until Dec. 6.
Leaves will be collected on the weekday after residents normal trash pickup. There will be no collection on Nov. 11, Nov. 28 and Nov. 29.
Unforeseen circumstances could cause a change in the schedule. Residents are asked to not contact public works about missed pick-ups or to ask for a special pick-up.
Guidelines include raking leaves to the back of curbs and not behind shrubs or bushes; keeping leaves away from storm drains; not raking leaves into flower beds or landscaped areas; and not bagging leaves.
Leaves are recycled into compost. Participation in the program is voluntary.
‘Scams Targeting Seniors’ subject of free seminar
A free seminar on scams targeting seniors will be held beginning at 1 p.m. Nov. 14 at Holy Family Parish’s Our Lady of Joy hall, 2000 O’Block Road.
State police Trooper Rocco Gagliardi will talk about how to identify and avoid being a victim of scams such as phone scams, unsolicited calls, government impersonations, robo calls, computer tech scams, grandparent schemes, investments and internet or email fraud.
Light refreshments will be served.
Fire hydrant flushing continues in Plum
The Plum Borough Municipal Authority will be flushing fire hydrants through Dec. 13, the authority announced.
No work will be done on weekends.
Flushing is required to check the operation of hydrants and to clean distribution lines, the authority said.
Water may become discolored while hydrants are being flushed. Residents are advised to test water before doing laundry or drawing large amounts of water.
If discolored water does not clear after two hours, contact the authority at 412-793-7331 for help.
Verona Historical Society program slated
A program dubbed “The Encampment at Valley Forge, 1777-1778” will be offered on Nov. 21 by the Valley Historical Society. The presentation from Ken Cherry will discuss a pivotal time in U.S. history.
For more information on the historical society’s programs or membership, visit veronahistory.org.
Free Thanksgiving dinner
Christ the Divine Shepherd parish in Monroeville will host a free Nov. 28 Thanksgiving dinner open to those would otherwise be eating alone on the holiday.
It will be from 12:30 to 3 p.m. (or until food runs out) at the church, 245 Azalea Drive.
Rotary offering need-based scholarships
The Bob Williams Rotary Memorial Scholarship Program is accepting applications from current high school seniors and GED students for 2024-25.
This year, eight need-based scholarships at $5,000 each will be awarded.
The scholarships are open to students in Allegheny and Beaver counties, as well as those attending New Kensington- Arnold, Kiski Area and Burrell Area high schools and The Kiski School in Westmoreland County. Vocational students, GED students and those attending parochial, charter and private schools also are eligible.
Students must have a 2.5 or higher grade-point average and must complete an essay highlighting their community/school service.
Complete application and criteria materials are available on the website of Rotary District 7305 at rotarydistrict7305.org/scholarships.php or from area high school counselors.
The deadline to apply is Feb. 28. Applications postmarked after that date will not be accepted.
For details, email Dr. Robert Arbuckle, chairperson of the scholarship committee, at rarbuckl@yahoo.com.
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.