In Brief: Writing family history, Easter egg hunt and more in Pine, Richland
Share this post:
North Hills Genealogists meeting
The North Hills Genealogists will present a free live, online presentation titled “The Importance of Family History Writing” at 6:45 p.m. on March 15.
The program will be co-hosted by Rich Watson and Sue Ennis, who will outline why and how to write about your ancestors. They will cover four different ways to write about family history along with writing tips, research suggestions, sample pieces and how to share what’s been written.
The presentation will be followed by a question and answer session.
Watson is a retired railroad industry sales manager and avid genealogical researcher, Ennis is a retired English teacher and librarian who enjoys teaching genealogical research and writing.
To participate in the meeting, which will be conducted via Zoom, sign up online. A confirmation to attend the meeting will be sent by email.
For more information about the group, see northhillsgenealogists.org.
Richland chemical, e-waste pickup
Richland Township’s waste hauler has three more dates available this year to collect hazardous chemical and electronic waste from residents.
Registration to sign up for the June 14 pickup ends on May 28. The deadline to register for the Sept. 20 pickup is Sept. 3. Registration for the Dec. 6 collection must be made by Nov. 22.
Residents must contact Vogel Disposal Service’s customer service department at 724-625-1511 at least 10 days prior to the pickup date to receive a containment package with instructions.
The electronic waste that will be picked up includes TVs and computers including desktop, laptop, tablet, e-readers and peripherals such as monitors, keyboards and printers. No more than three TVs or monitors will be collected from any residence during the year.
Household chemical products that contain corrosive, toxic, ignitable or reactive ingredients that require careful disposal also will be accepted.
Contaminant packages must weigh less than 50 pounds and placed 10 to 15 feet from the curb along a driveway or street. The bags will not be collected on the curb or public property. Bags can be put out 24 hours before the scheduled collection date.
Information on how to participate can be found at vogeldisposal.com/schedule-pickup.
Easter egg hunt
Richland is hosting an Easter egg hunt for township residents on March 27 at Richland Community Park.
Residents can sign up for one of four time slots to bring an empty egg carton to carry home candy-filled eggs.
The Easter Bunny also will be stopping by to wave to everyone, however, no photo sessions will be scheduled this year because of coronavirus pandemic restrictions.
The deadline to register for the free rain-or-shine event is March 22.
Participants are asked to arrive no earlier than 10 minutes before they are scheduled. Anyone 2 years or older will be required to wear a facial covering.
Registration forms are available online at the bottom of the township’s March newsletter.
Completed forms can be mailed to Richland Township, 4019 Dickey Road, Gibsonia, PA 15044, or sent by fax to 724-443-8860.
Girl Scout cookies available
Still haven’t satisfied your fix for Girl Scout cookies?
Scouts will be selling boxes of Thin Mints, Samoas, Tagalongs and the other varieties at The Block Northway along McKnight Road. The Scout will be set up between the Land’s End and DSW shoe stores.
Cookies will be sold Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. through March 21.
Proceeds benefit local Scouting troops.
Personal care items needed
North Hills Community Outreach is hosting a collection drive until April 19 to collect personal care items for needy people.
The most needed items include disposable razors and shave cream; shampoo, conditioner, body wash, unscented hand soap and lotion; toothpaste, brushes and floss; deodorant; washcloths; and lip balm.
Donations can be dropped off on weekdays from 9 am. to 4 p.m. at the charity’s three locations and from 9 a.m. to noon at the Allison Park location on the first Saturday of the month.
NHCO’s main office is located at 1975 Ferguson Road in Allison Park. There also are offices in the Millvale Community Center at 416 Lincoln Ave., 2nd floor in Millvale; and at Greenstone Methodist Church, 939 California Ave. in Pittsburgh.
Sign up for summer camp
Registration is open for Camp Cranberry, which runs June 7 to Aug. 20 for children ages 5 to 15 from any community.
The camp focuses on developing physical, social and decision-making skills; promoting self-confidence and having fun.
There will be weekly themes for younger campers, such as outer space, dinosaurs, animals, science and storybook classics.
Older campers will learn about their natural surroundings, how to express themselves creatively and inventing games and activities.
Some of the camp activities will be held at the township’s water park.
Full-day camp runs from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. There also are half-day camps for younger children. Lunch and extended care also will be available.
Cranberry also is offering swimming lessons for all age groups.
There are group lessons, Saturday classes, sessions for preschool kids and parent and child aquatics. Private lessons also are available.
For more information, visit cranberrytownship.org.
Block Party To Go charity fundraiser
Participants in North Hills Community Outreach’s annual block party fundraiser won’t be able to gather in person this year because of the coronavirus pandemic.
But the North Hills charity and social service agency is still planning to party.
Have fun at home with a “Block Party To Go” party bag. The adult bags include a do-it-yourself pizza kit, wine, dessert, a game and more. The children’s bag includes a craft kit from Dots and Doodles, snacks and other items.
Some of the bags will include a “bonus” gift card to a local restaurant or business. The first 300 party-to-go kits will include a link to play BuzzWorthy Pub Trivia.
More information and an order form for party bags are available online at NHCO/Block-Party.
Free tax prep
A free tax preparation service is being offered by the United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania through April 10.
The service is available virtually or through a combination of online and in-person meetings.
Clients can upload their materials, and tax experts will prepare and review the return. The hybrid tax preparation will require two brief appointments in a safe environment, following covid-19 guidelines, to provide information and review the return.
The service is available to residents in Allegheny, Fayette, Greene, Washington and Westmoreland counties.
Assistance from a volunteer tax preparer is available for people and families with a total annual income of up to $57,000.
A free, do-it-yourself online tax assistance program is available at myfreetaxes.com.