In brief: Richland History Group presentation, holiday events and more
Share this post:
Richland History Group
The Northern Tier Regional Library, in conjunction with the Richland History Group, is holding a free program “The Underground Railroad in Northern Allegheny County,” Dec. 9 at the library on Dickey Road in Richland from 10:30 to 11:45 a.m. Acting Richland History Group president Paul R. White will give a one-hour slide presentation detailing the specifics of four local mid-19th century stations and their station masters. Three of these stations still stand in the community today as a testiment to their historic service. Richland resident Alberta Altmeyer will display examples of quilts containing designs that gave passengers and conductors secret railroad information. Pre-register by either calling the library at 724-449-2665 or online at northerntierlibrary.org.
Bakerstown UMC
A Blue Christmas Service will take place at 7 p.m. Dec. 20 at Bakerstown United Methodist Church, 5760 William Flynn Hwy., in Gibsonia. It is a service of reflection, remembrance, healing and hope. For more information, visit bakerstownumc.org.
Northern Tier Regional Library events
• Holiday Boutique is running through Dec. 16.
A sample of this year’s offerings includes tickets to events at Pittsburgh Opera, Pittsburgh Botanic Gardens, Living Treasures Wild Animal Park, Keystone Safari and the Mattress Factory. Gift baskets include Book Lover Junk Journal, Lenox, Fitz & Floyd, and Mud Pie china, Bamboo Tea Box, autographed gift books, Christmas reading basket.
Bids will be accepted until 5 p.m. Dec. 8 for decorated Christmas trees, and 5 p.m. Dec. 16 for other boutique raffle items. Winners will be notified by phone the following morning. All proceeds benefit the library.
• Baby playtime runs every Tuesday at 11 a.m. through Dec. 5. Share songs, finger plays, stories and rhymes. Meet other parents and their babies, and enjoy some special time together. The program is intended for babies ages 0-18 months. Siblings are welcome, and registration is only required once for the series.
Letters from Santa
Pine-Richland High School choral students are again offering letters from Santa to children of all ages. For a $5 donation, choral students will personalize and mail a letter from Santa to your child, including details provided by you. Email Carolyn King at Cammie22@hotmail.com for an order form. Orders must be received on or before Dec. 6.
Rotary scholarship
The Bob Williams Rotary Memorial Scholarship Program announces the availability of scholarships for the 2023-2024 academic year. In recent years, at least eight scholarships of $5,000 each have been awarded. High school seniors in Allegheny and Beaver counties are eligible to apply. Vocational students, GED students and those attending parochial, charter and private schools are also eligible.
Students must have a 2.5 or higher grade point average and also must complete an essay that highlights their community/school service as part of the application submission.
Complete application and criteria materials, including application deadline, are available on the Rotary District 7305 website, Scholarship Link, or from area high school counselors. For more information, contact Dr. Robert Arbuckle at rarbuckl@yahoo.com.
Paint & Sip
The Myasthenia Gravis Association of Western PA will host its fourth annual Virtual Holiday Paint & Sip Celebration on Dec. 7. The event will benefit MGA’s free patient support services. For a $50 donation, participants will receive a link to participate, the supplies needed to create a snowflake-inspired painting, and two bottles from Kavic Winery in Carnegie. The paint session will be led by art therapist Kristy Walter. For an additional fee, participants can take part in a Christmas cookie exchange and virtual reindeer races. For more information, or to purchase tickets, email mgaoffice@mgawpa.org or call 412-566-1545.