Murrysville area: Puzzle and cookbook sale, trail hikes and more

Email news briefs and event listings to pvarine@triblive.com.

AAUW to host upcoming sale

The Murrysville chapter of the American Association of University Women presented a $10,000 check to the Murrysville Community Library, proceeds from the association’s 2024 used book and puzzle sales.

The AAUW and library will host a used puzzle and cookbook sale Jan. 29 to Feb. 1. A spring used book and puzzle sale will take place May 1-3.

In addition to donations, the AAUW also hosts a regular monthly public speaker series at the library. For more, see MurrysvilleLibrary.org.

‘Hot Chocolate Hikes’ in Murrysville

The Murrysville Recreation Department will host “Hot Chocolate Hikes” on its trails this winter.

Hikes will take place at 2 p.m. Jan. 22 in Townsend Park on Townsend Park Court, and at 10 a.m. Feb. 14 at the Kellman Nature Reserve on Kellman Drive, both in Murrysville.

Hikes are free, but registration is encouraged by calling 724-327-2100, ext. 131 or registering online at MurrysvillePArecreation.com — click on the “Program Registration” link.

Comedy night to benefit fire company

The Sardis Volunteer Fire Department will host an evening of stand-up comedy as a fundraiser.

It will be Feb. 1 at the department’s social hall, 5205 Rocky Hill Lane in Murrysville, featuring comedians Mark Riccadonna and Chris Nakis.

Tickets are $25. The event is BYOB and is for adults 21 and over. There will also be a 50/50 raffle, gift basket auctions and games of chance. Doors open at 5 p.m. and the show will be at 7 p.m. The Earth, Wheel and Fire food truck will also be on-site.

For more, or to order tickets, call 724-327-3987 or visit SlapsticksProductions.com.

Dinner to benefit Delmont K-9

The Delmont Police Department will host a Feb. 1 dinner to benefit its K-9 program.

It will be from 2-7 p.m. Feb. 1 at the Delmont Volunteer Fire Department, 2360 Route 66. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children 12 and under. There will also be a basket raffle and 50/50.

Dinner includes spaghetti, salad, a dessert and beverage. Tickets will be sold at the door.

For more, call 724-468-4422.

Comedy night to benefit parks, trail projects

An evening of stand-up comedy at the Live Casino in Westmoreland Mall will benefit Westmoreland County parks, trail project and concert series.

Doors will open at 6 p.m. for comedy shows on March 7 and 8. Tickets are $40. The shows are for adults age 21 and older. The evening will also include food, a cash bar, basket auctions and a 50/50 raffle.

Tickets are available at the Westmoreland County Parks office, 2 North Main Street in Greensburg; at The Lamplighter, 6566 William Penn Highway just outside Delmont in Salem Township; and at Ginny’s Neighborhood Pizza Joint, 5549 Old William Penn Highway in Murrysville.

No tickets will be sold at the door.

‘Positivity’ talk at Boomers & Beyond

The “Boomers & Beyond” speaker series at Mother of Sorrows Church in Murrysville will feature guest speaker Dennis Daley on Jan. 14.

Daley is a faculty member at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine’s psychiatry department, and has worked as a therapist, educator, program director, researcher and advocate for families affected by a parent’s psychiatric or substance-abuse disorder.

Daley will discuss positive emotions, behaviors and relationships, and their impact on well-being.

The presentation will be at noon at the Mother of Sorrows social hall, 4202 Old William Penn Highway in Murrysville. Attendees may bring a bag lunch and a guest.

Students earn state band honors

The following Franklin Regional students earned spots in Pennsylvania Music Educators Association select bands. Those noted with an asterisk (*) are also students at the Newlonsburg Music Academy in Murrysville.

• Honors Band: Noah Eaton*, Naomi Casey*, Esther Campanella*, Jake Miller*, Kendall Beighley*, Reagan Karda, A.J. Schmidt*, Nia Hanington*, Elsa Bandli*, Lacey Pribanic* and Gavin Lichok*

• District Band: Elaine Liao, Addison Ferguson*, Noah Venters, Jenna Munkittrick*, Shawn Stewart*, Lucas Kozuch*, Isaac Eaton*, Noah Eaton, Casey, Campanella, Miller, Beighley, Karda, Hanington, Bandli, Pribanic, Lichok and Schmidt

• Honors Jazz Band: Max Morton*

• Honors Orchestra: Ilana Aranovich

• District Orchestra: Alethea Foster, Schmidt, Hanington, Lichok, Miller and Aranovich

American Legion scholarships

The Pennsylvania American Legion is taking entries for its annual essay contest. Winners will receive $3,500, $3,000 or $2,500 scholarships.

The contest is open to students in multiple categories: grades 6-8 and 9-12. Students can be from public, private, parochial, cyber/charter or home-schooled.

Students must submit their essay by mail or hand delivery to their local American Legion post by Jan. 8, 2025 for those in grades 9-12, and by Feb. 5, 2025, for those in grades 6-8. Complete rules and regulations are available at PA-legion.com/programs/student-and-youth/essay-program or by emailing wareagles79@hotmail.com.

The Legion also hosts an oratorical contest with scholarships offering $7,500, $5,000 and $4,000. That contest is only open to those in grades 9-12. More information is available at Legion.org/oratorical or by emailing jgdrnjevich@aol.com.