Briefs: Murrysville torch run fund drive begins, dance with 'stars' of Export and more

Torch run donations

The Murrysville Police Department is collecting donations for its annual Law Enforcement Torch Run team. Proceeds from the fundraiser will benefit Special Olympics Pennsylvania.

This year’s Torch Run will be May 21-23, as more than 50 law enforcement running teams take turns carrying the Olympic torch roughly 150 miles. The Murrysville team typically carries the torch down a stretch of Route 22.

To donate, visit SpecialOlympicsPA.org/letr. The Murrysville team’s page is at give.specialolympicspa.org/team/570545.

Woman’s club meeting

The Murrysville Woman’s Club will host speaker Erica Nuckles of the Westmoreland Museum of American Art at its April 18 meeting, set for 11:15 a.m. at the School House Tavern, 2001 Main Street in Penn Township’s Claridge neighborhood.

For more, or to RSVP and attend, call Beverly Bella at 412-720-8372.

Spring craft fair

Union Presbyterian Church will host a spring craft fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 13 at the church, 656 Route 380 in Murrysville.

There will be more than 20 vendor, and food and drinks will be available for purchase.

Author talk

Local author andfreelance writer Leslie Savisky of Penn Township will host a discussion about self-publishing at 6 p.m. April 23 at the Murrysville Community Library.

Savisky is the author of two novels, “Other People’s Words” and “Almost Too Late,” and is at work on her third novel. Discusion topics will include:

• How Savisky took traumatic events from her childhood and used creativity to turn them into her first novel.

• Her personal writing and self-publishing journey.

• An overview of Amazon Kindle’s Direct Publishing system.

• How to market a self-published book and gain exposure as an independent author.

• The pros and cons of self-publishing.

Savisky will also have copies of her books for sale. Register for the free event at MurrysvilleLibrary.org or call 724-327-1102.

Vitalant blood drives

April is National Donate Life Month, and Vitalant is hosting a series of blood drives in Pittsburgh’s east suburbs. Drives will take place in the following locations:

• April 16: Forbes Hospital Learning Center, 2570 Haymaker Road, Monroeville, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.

• April 16: Penn Hills High School, 309 Collins Drive, Penn Hills, 8 a.m. to noon

• April 18: Redeemer Lutheran School, 121 Dawn Drive, Verona, 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

• April 21: Our Lady of Joy Roman Catholic Church, 2000 O’Block Drive, Plum, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• April 22: Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium, 1855 One Wild Place, Pittsburgh, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

To schedule an appointment, see Vitalant.com or call 877-258-4825.

Export Moose to host ‘Dancing with the Stars’

The Export Moose will host the Export edition of “Dancing with the Stars” on April 13 at the Moose social hall on Washington Avenue.

It will feature Mayor Joe Zaccagnini, council members Joe Ferri and Melanie Litz, borough secretary Tonia Writt, Jerry Soles, Kevin Kean and Jen Olson.

A $10 donation benefits the Moose Riders and the DeStella Dance Centre Competitive Company. Doors open at 6:15 p.m. with performances at 7 p.m.

There will also be a 50/50 drawing, Chinese auction and performances by DeStella dancers.

Participants can also vote on a People’s Choice Award.

Historical society fundraiser

The Export Historical Society will host a May 5 spaghetti dinner fundraiser from 12-6 p.m.

It will be in the Export Moose social hall at 5903 Washington Avenue. Meals will include homemade sauce from former Spaghetti & Steak House owner Monica Meehan. The cost is $12 for adults and $6 for children.

Used book sale donations

The Murrysville Community Library and local branch of the American Association of University Women will host their annual used book sale April 25-27, and are collecting donations for the sale.

Gently used books, particularly for children, can be brought to the library through April 23, along with teen and adult fiction and non-fiction books, and jigsaw puzzles.

Encyclopedias, manuals, textbooks and musty or moldy books will not be accepted.

The library is at 4130 Sardis Road in Murrysville. For more, call 724-327-1102.

Murrysville library events

• April 22: Android smartphone basics, 2-4 p.m. Learn the different features available on Android smartphones like the Samsung Galaxy, Motorola Edge and Razr, Google Pixel and OnePlus.

• May 13: Tech Q&A session, 10 a.m. to noon. Participants can bring their smartphone, table or laptop and learn about some of the “tech” terms you may hear daily.

National Day of Prayer

The 73rd National Day of Prayer will be celebrated at 7 p.m. May 2 at the Delmont Fire Hall, 2360 Route 66 in Delmont. This year’s gathering is based on the Bible scriptures taken from 2 Samuel 22: 29-31.

Volunteers are needed. To volunteer, call 724-325-1166 or 724-420-4036.

Delmont library events

• April 17: Birding program, 5 p.m. Learn modern bird-watching techniques, how to use free apps like eBird and Merlin, and how to track and record birding observations. Limit of 10, register online.

• April 20: The Great Puzzle Race, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Teams of 1-3 people will have a two-hour time limit to complete as many 300-piece puzzles as possible. Registration required.

• April 24: Wildlife observation class, 4 p.m. Limit of 10, register online.

• April 24 and May 11: Learn how to navigate using Windows 11, Microsoft’s latest operating system, 1-3 p.m. Bring your own laptop and power supply. Registration is required.

• April 27: Straw bale gardening class, 10 a.m. to noon. Learn how to prepare straw bales which can provide constant fertilizer for growing vegetables, herbs and flowers. Limit of 25, register online or by phone.

Register online at DelmontLibrary.org or call 724-468-5329 for more.