Murrysville: Parks challenge, Christmas tree recycling and more

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Recreation department hosts ‘12 for 12’ parks challenge

The Murrysville Recreation Department is again issuing its “12 for 12” challenge to residents alongside the Westmoreland Conservancy, encouraging the public to explore 12 miles of parks, reserves and trails, log their miles and take advantage of the outdoors.

Those who are more exercise-minded can log their mileage in a free virtual challenge. Last year, nearly 400 people logged more than 9,000 miles during the three-month challenge from January to March.

Register online at RunSignUp.com — click on “Find a Race” and enter “Murrysville 12 for 12” in the search box. For more, see MurrysvillePArecreation.com or call 724-327-2100, ext. 131.

Rotary plans Christmas tree recycling

The Murrysville-Export Rotary Club’s annual Christmas tree recycling drop-off will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 15 at the Windstream parking lot, 4792 Old William Penn Highway, Murrysville.

Upcoming library programs

The Murrysville Community Library will host the following special programs this month:

• Jan 17: Representatives from EXP Realty will host a first-time homebuyers’ seminar, exploring topics such as preapproval, lending programs, down payment, closing costs and the home-buying process.

• Jan 24: John McCarthy, author of “The Innovator Next Door” and “Driving Forward in Reverse” will give a talk on creative thinking, featuring some of the stories included in his recent books along with exercises and techniques to help spark individual creativity.

• Jan. 25: BeSMART, a nonprofit focused on gun safety, will host an educational program about safe gun storage. Free gun locks will be available.

All programs are free and open to the public; register online at MurrysvilleLibrary.org. For more, call 724-327-1102.

AAUW speaker will discuss 1918 pandemic

The Murrysville branch of the American Association of University Women will welcome guest speaker Thomas Soltis at its Jan. 13 meeting, set for 10 a.m. in Murrysville.

Soltis is a professor of sociology and anthropology at Westmoreland County Community College, and has been earned the college’s “Outstanding Teacher Award” in 2001 and 2016.

Soltis will give a talk on the Spanish influenza pandemic of 1918 based on his 2019 book, “An Unwelcome Visit from the Spanish Lady: The 1918 Influenza Pandemic in Western Pennsylvania.”

The talk will take place in the community room at the Murrysville Community Library, 4130 Sardis Road in Murrysville. Masks are required.

For more, see Murrysville-PA.aauw.net.

Pizza event to raise money for Delmont committee

The Delmont Visionary Committee will partner with Lilja’s Premiere Pizza in Delmont to host another “Make Your Own Pizza” fundraiser 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 16.

A $15 donation benefits the committee, which is working to create a spur leading from the eventual Westmoreland Heritage Trail into Delmont.

Register for a time by calling 724-689-5292 or emailing delmont visionarycommittee@gmail.com.

Upcoming public meetings

• Franklin Regional School Board committee-of-the-whole meeting (no voting), 7:30 p.m., Jan. 10 at the Murrysville Municipal Building, 4100 Sardis Road. Meetings are broadcast live on Comcast local access Channel 19 and streamed at Murrysville.com.

• Murrysville council, 7 p.m., Jan. 19 at the Murrysville Municipal Building, 4100 Sardis Road. Meetings are broadcast live on Comcast local access Channel 19 and streamed at Murrysville.com.

• Franklin Regional School Board voting meeting, 7:30 p.m., Jan. 24 at the Murrysville Municipal Building. Meetings are broadcast live on Comcast local access Channel 19 and streamed at Murrysville.com.

• Export council, 6:30 p.m., Feb. 1 at the borough building, 5821 Washington Ave. For more, including an agenda prior to the meeting, see ExportPennsylvania.com.

• Delmont council, 7 p.m., Feb. 8 at the borough building, 77 Greensburg St. For more, including an agenda prior to the meeting, see DelmontBoro.com.