Murrysville area: Monticello Lights, presentation on Putin, local live music and more
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‘Monticello Lights’ set for Dec. 9-10
Residents in Delmont’s Monticello neighborhood will host their annual “Monticello Lights” fundraiser Dec 9 and 10 to benefit the Salvation Army & WTAE’s Project Bundle Up and the Delmont Recreation Committee.
It will take place from 6-9 p.m. both nights. Visitors can “vote” for their favorite decorating scheme by donating at the box in front of each house. Proceeds will be split between the two charities.
For more, see MonticelloLights.org.
AAUW speaker focuses on post-Soviet Russia, Putin
Charles Hier will be the guest speaker at the next American Association of University Women meeting in Murrysville on Dec. 14.
Hier, who holds degrees in philosophy and history and has taught at Duquesne and Carnegie Mellon universities, will discuss the rise of Vladimir Putin in post-Soviet Russia. Hier will focus on Putin’s actions as president, particularly during the recent war in Ukraine.
The presentation will be at 10 a.m. at the Murrysville Community Library, 4130 Sardis Road in Murrysville. There is no cost to attend.
For more about the presentation or about AAUW, email MurrysvilleAAUW@gmail.com.
Rotary plastic collection ongoing
The Murrysville-Export Rotary Club is continuing to collect plastic to be remade into public benches placed throughout Murrysville and Export. So far eight benches have been placed in six locations.
Collection points for plastic include the Murrysville municipal building lobby and the Murrysville library, both on Sardis Road; First Presbyterian Church’s Laird Hall, 3202 North Hills Road in Murrysville; ProTrucks and Virgin Flooring, both on Route 22; Completely Booked in the Blue Spruce Shoppes; Franco’s Expert Nails and the Rewind Reuse Center, both on Washington Avenue in Export; Friends Thrift Shop on Old William Penn Highway.
Plastic film, stretch wrap, and shopping bags can be donated.
Upcoming live music
• Red Barn Winery, 275 Manor Road in Salem, all music 6-9 p.m. except where noted: Dave Smith, Dec. 2; Flyin’ Oaks Bluegrass, Dec. 8; Joey Brucker & Char (Let’s Duet), Dec. 9; Party of 2 Duet, Dec. 15; Dennis Crawford, Dec. 16; Peter Drew, Dec. 22; Shakey and the Beers, Dec. 23; Billy Postle, 10 a.m. Dec. 29; Tim Schmider, Dec. 30.
• Joey’s the Edge, 5904 Washington Ave., Export: Weekly Tuesday jam session with host Kenny Blake, 8-11 p.m.
• Schoolhouse Tavern, 2001 Main Street in Penn Township’s Claridge neighborhood: Dallas Marks Farewell Tour, 8 p.m. Dec. 9; Double Take, 9 p.m. Dec. 16.
Additional veterans’ hours
State Rep. Jill Cooper, R-Murrysville, announced that a veterans service officer will be on hand during additional days at her branch offices.
In addition to the first Wednesday of the month at Cooper’s New Kensington office (356 Freeport St., Suite 100), and the third Wednesday at the Washington Township office (105 Pfeffer Road, Suite 5), an officer will be at the New Kensington office on the second Wednesday of each month.
To schedule an appointment, call 724-830-3530.
‘Light the Way’ holiday celebration
First United Methodist Church in Murrysville will host a “Light the Way to Christmas” family celebration from 6-8 p.m. Dec. 8 at the church.
It will include games, a tree lighting, a puppet show, carol singing, food, hot cocoa and children’s crafts.
The church is at 3916 Old William Penn Highway. For more, call 724-327-5049 or email FirstUMC@murrysvilleumc.org.
Transplant recipient to tell his story
Second Chance Fundraising Executive Director and heart transplant recipient Craig Smith will be the featured speaker at the next Mother of Sorrows “Boomers & Beyond” speaker series.
Smith will tell his story of receiving a heart transplant at age 28 and becoming involved in the organ donor community through the nonprofit he directs.
It will be at noon Dec. 12 at the church, 4202 Old William Penn Highway in Murrysville. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. There is no cost to attend. Participants are encouraged to bring a bag lunch and a friend.
Foundation seeking grant applications
Export Light Up Night
Export will host its annual “Export Light Up Night” from 6-9 p.m. Dec. 1 along Washington Avenue, which will be closed.
Officials will light the borough Christmas tree at 7 p.m., followed by Santa’s arrival. The evening will include a cookie crawl to local businesses as well as a lottery tree raffle.
There will be a fish fry at the Export Moose from 4-8 p.m., and a basket raffle at 9 p.m. In addition, the Export Train Station Museum will be open and staffed by Export Historical Society members.
‘Santa at Sardis’
The Murrysville Recreation Department will host its annual “Santa at Sardis” event from 1-4 p.m. Dec. 2.
It will take place at Sardis Park, on Rocky Hill Lane near the Sardis Volunteer Fire Department in Murrysville. The afternoon will include a bonfire, children’s activities, s’mores, carriage rides courtesy of Gearhard Farms and photos with Santa.
Parking is limited, and recreation officials ask that participants carpool if possible.
For more, call 724-327-2100, ext. 131 or 115.
‘Advent Adventure’ at Newlonsburg church
Newlonsburg Presbyterian Church will host an “Advent Adventure” at 4:30 p.m. Dec. 3.
The event will include a Nativity treasure hunt, as well as an Advent dinner at 6 p.m. There is no cost to attend.
The church is at 4600 Old William Penn Highway in Murrysville.
For more, email catharine_weiss@comcast.net.
New book club at Murrysville library
The Murrysville Community Library will start a new “Chai Time with Books” club for adults who enjoy reading young-adult and middle-grade books. The group will meet at 7 p.m. the first Tuesday of the month.
This month the group will meet Dec. 5 to discuss Tae Keller’s Newberry-Award- winning book, “When You Trap a Tiger.” The library has copies of the book available.
The library is at 4130 Sardis Road in Murrysville. For more, call 724-327-1102, ext. 154.
Bingo in Harrison City
St. Barbara Parish in Penn Township’s Harrison City neighborhood will host bingo at 6:45 p.m. Dec. 7 at the church, 111 Raymaley Road.
Doors open at 5 p.m. Payouts will be $140, $150 and $1,400. Admission starts at $27 and extra packages are $5 including regular, special, jackpot games, magic number and door prizes. Early-birds, quickies, all-nighter, 50/50 and games of chance will also be available.
The kitchen will be open and free coffee is available.
For more, call 724-744-4584.
Dr. Zoot at Symphony East
Symphony East’s annual “Sounds of Joy” holiday luncheon will take place at 11 a.m. Dec. 4.
The program will feature Sal Ventura’s Pittsburgh-area dance band Dr. Zoot, who will perform at 1 p.m. There will be an 11 a.m. holiday basket raffle, and a buffet lunch at 11:45 a.m.
It will be at The Lamplighter, 6566 Route 22 in Salem. Tickets are $35 and reservations are required by Nov. 30 by calling 724-327-4864 or going to SymphonyEast.org/events to find a mail-in reservation form.
The Community Foundation of Murrysville, Export and Delmont is accepting applications through Dec. 15 for grants to nonprofit organizations in all three towns.
Grants in the range of several hundred dollars will be awarded to groups demonstrating a need for small sums to make a significant, long-term impact on the local community.
Email rcook109@gmail.com for an application.