Oct 1, 2019 20 min read

Support series

The St. Bernard/Our Lady of Grace Parish partners in Mt. Lebanon/Scott/Dormont will conduct a bereavement support series for those who have experienced he loss of a loved one in recent months or years. The sessions are free, open to the public and provide a safe space to talk with others who are grieving. The group will be facilitated by Paula Elliott and held at St. Bernard Church, Fontenay Center, 311 Washington Road, Mt. Lebanon.

The group will meet on various Wednesdays from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., including Oct. 9 and 23, and Nov. 6 and 20. For more information and to preregister, call Tisha Bridges at St. Bernard Church at 412-440-2681 or Paul Elliott at 412-279-6560.

Evening With Chorus

An Evening With the Keystone Chorus and Friends is scheduled for 7 p.m. Oct 12 at Boyce Middle School, 1500 Boyce Road, Upper St. Clair. Guest quartet is Eleventh Hour, and special guest is Special guest: the Pittsburgh Metro Mixed Ensemble. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. They are available at Eventbrite.com. For more information, contact Keystonechorus@gmail.com or call 412-254-3148.

PT shredding event

A free paper-shredding event is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., or until the truck is filled, on Oct. 12 at Peters Township Public Library, 616 E. McMurray Road. Better Business Bureau volunteers will guide cars through a moving line, offload their disposable items, shred them on the spot and distribute goodie bags with educational ID theft and fraud prevention materials. Each vehicle may dispose of a maximum of three boxes and/or bags of paper-based materials.

Pennies for the Trail Day

Friends of the Montour Trail in Bethel Park will be collecting contributions during Pennies for the Trail Day from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Oct. 12, rain or shine.

Funds are being raised to support trail improvements and ongoing maintenance of the Montour Trail in Bethel Park. The volunteers remove downed trees, mow the grass and otherwise control the vegetation. They also periodically repair the trail surface and make other improvements. The donated money goes to buying fuel, equipment, paint, signs, land and other essentials.

Trail users are encouraged to bring their change or any other monetary donations to one of the collection sites along the trail: the trail parking lot along Irishtown Road, the entrance to Washington School along Clifton Road, and the trail parking lot along Limestone Drive. Contributions can also be mailed to Friends of the Montour Trail in Bethel Park, Box 11, Bethel Park, Pa. 15102.

For more information, call Roxanne Capp at 412-833-5928.

Dementia workshops

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church is hosting a program on dementia and memory loss on Oct. 12 at the church 1066 Washington Road, Mt. Lebanon. The morning session, 9 a.m. to noon, will be structured for Stephen Ministers, clergy and lay people. The afternoon session, 1 to 4, is geared to family members and caregivers of those with dementia. There is no charge for this program, but participants must register by calling Barbara Galderise, 412-563-6194, or Pat Sphar, 412-835-6893.

Seeking Women Veterans

Are you a woman who has served in the any branch of the U.S. Military: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines or Coast Guard? The Women’s Army Corp Veterans’ Association — Army Women United in Pittsburgh Keystone Chapter 120 currently has members of both Army, Navy and Air Force, and welcome veterans to join them. The next meeting is at 11 a.m. Oct. 12 at Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall, Pittsburgh for both Chapter business and a social gathering. For information on the meetings or to arrange for ride sharing from the South Hills, contact Chris, 412-833-1452.

Craft show

South Park Women’s Club has moved its craft show from the Home Economics Building in South Park to a new location this year. The organization’s 26th annual craft show will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 12 at Broughton Volunteer Fire Hall, Cochran Mill Road Pittsburgh, PA 15236 in South Park Township.

Many new crafters will be in attendance. More than 50 crafters will display their work at this show. There will be a 50/50 raffle, Chinese auction, bake good sale and delicious lunch items for available for purchase. All the great crafts on display are available for purchase. Let our crafters help you to start your holiday shopping. Admission is free.

Organ Recital in Carnegie

Rachel Spry Lammi will play an organ recital at Saint John Evangelical Lutheran Church, 601 Washington Ave., in Carnegie at 4 p.m. Oct. 13. The concert is open to the public; a free-will offering will be received during the program. This recital is part of Saint John’s Music on the Avenue concert series.

Adult dance classes

The School of Dance of Bethel Park is offering an adults class – Keep Movin’ and Let’s Dance for fun and fitness. Fall classes in Tap and Jazz will begin Oct. 14 with Joyce and Donna at Miss Beverly’s. For more information, call or text 724-344-7910 or e-mail iwanadance2@hotmail.com.

Senior Luncheon, Movie Matinee

Mt. Lebanon Recreation will host a Senior Luncheon and Movie Matinee on Oct. 15 on the second floor of the Mt. Lebanon Recreation Center. A flu shot clinic is from 10 to 11:30 a.m. in Room B. Bring insurance card or Medicare card. The luncheon is held in Room A, starting with an 11 a.m. presentation: “Ways to Access Wellness and Prevention Through Your Medical Insurance.” A hot lunch buffet is at noon, and a movie will be shown from 1 to 2:30 p.m. The event is sponsored by American HealthCare Group LLC. Please preregister. Walk-ins are not encouraged and will be accepted only if space permits. A late fee is charged. The cost is $7, due the Friday before the luncheon. Mt. Lebanon residency not required. Call 412-343-3409 for more information.

Seniors in the Sukkah luncheon

Seniors in the Sukkah luncheon is scheduled for noon Oct. 16 at Chabad of the South Hills, 1701 McFarland Road, Mt. Lebanon. The event will feature Jewish music and meditation, lunch and a chance to shake the Luluv and Etrog. A donation is $5 is suggested. The venue is wheelchair-accessible. Preregistration is strongly encouraged. For more information, call 412-278-2658.

Salads in Sukkah Ladies Night

Salads in the Sukkah Ladies Night is scheduled for 7:30 Oct. 16 at Chabad of the South Hills, 1701 McFarland Road. Local author Sudan Sofyav will give a presentation on “How Joy Breaks All Boundaries.” There is no charge. RSVP to Batya@chabadsh.com or 412-344-2424.

Bethel Woman’s Club to Meet

The October meeting for the Bethel Woman’s Club will be held Oct. 16 at the South Hills Elks Lodge, 2789 South Park Road, Bethel Park. There will be a social gathering at 11:30 with lunch served at noon. Information on reservations can be found by calling Pat, 412-831-1861. Checks for the luncheon must be received no later than Oct. 11. The featured speaker for this meeting will be a representative from Meals on Wheels which has been identified as our charity for the 2019-20 year. All South Hills women are invited to attend. Sarris candy bars will be available with profits benefiting both Meals on Wheels and SHIM. We look forward to seeing you there.

Free movie in Mt. Lebanon

The Denis Theatre will present a free movie, “Hearts Beat Loud, on Oct. 18 in the Washington Elementary School auditorium, 735 Washington Road. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and the movie begins at 7. The Denis is working to bring movies back to our community, and a brief update on recent progress will be presented before the show.

“Hearts Beat Loud” tells a father and daughter tale about growing up, about a love of music and following your dreams. The indie drama, starring Nick Offerman and Kiersey Clemons, was an official selection at Sundance and the SXSW film festivals last year. It also features Ted Danson, Sasha Lane, Blythe Danner and Toni Collette.

Hamilton Harvest Festival

The annual Hamilton Harvest Festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 19 on the grounds of Hamilton Presbyterian Church, Baptist and Hamilton roads, Bethel Park. Featured will be vendors and crafters, food, children’s activities, a petting zoo, basket raffles, and three acts on the outdoor stage: magician Al Mazing at 11 a.m., Glen Shelton’s bluegrass-country-gospel show at noon, and Hot Metal Brass Band at 2:15.

Civic engagement classes

Allegheny County Library Association and PublicSource will host a series of ‘Citizen Toolkit’ classes in libraries in October as part of a broader role libraries are playing within our communities. ‘Fake News and Information Literacy Workshops’ and ‘Power of the Pen: Getting public attention on your issues’ stem from ACLA’s recent $250,000 PA Department of Education grant focused on civic literacy and engagement throughout Allegheny County.

The courses will be held locally on the following dates and times:

3:30 p.m., Oct. 21 – Mt. Lebanon Public Library (teen);

7 p.m., Oct. 23 – Community Library of Castle Shannon.

Disabilities Awareness Mass

St. Louise De Marillac will be holding a Disabilities Awareness mass at 10 a.m. Oct. 20 with refreshments to follow at LeGras Hall. Individuals from the community are welcome to attend, especially those with disabilities, their families and friends. Volunteers with disabilities are encouraged to volunteer to act as greeters, lectors and gift bearers. To volunteer as a lector or gift bearer, contact Nancy Beaver at nsea2@comcast.net. To volunteer as a greeter, contact Haley Tutino at hst343@comcast.net.

Concordia Open House

Concordia of the South Hills is hosting open houses from 1 to 3 p.m. Oct. 20 and 21 at 1300 Bower Hill Road, Mt. Lebanon. Refreshments will be served in the Harmony Room on the ground floor. The open house provides an opportunity to ask questions and learn more about the lifestyle, amenities and continuing care to meet changing needs as professionals provide “Smart Financial Tips that You Should Know.” For more information, visit the Coming Events section of the website at www.ConcordiaLM.org. To register or to schedule a private tour by phone, call director of marketing Christie Wahlen at 412-294-1351.

Woodville Plantation Hosts Ghostly Evening

Woodville Plantation will host an evening around a bonfire on its grounds to share ghostly tales and early folklore told by storytellers of the late 18th century. Snacks, beverages, and a kids corner will be available in the Stillhouse. The event will be held from 7 to 10 p.m. Oct. 26, “rain or moonlight.” Stories will be held outside as long as weather permits. Should weather be unfavorable, the event will move inside the Stillhouse.

This is a family friendly event. Admission is $10 per adult and $5 per child. Reservations are not required, but are appreciated. Questions may be directed to tiffanyatnevillehouse@gmail.com or call 412-221-0348.

Bowling fundraiser

Horses with Hope, Inc. is holding its annual Bowling Fundraiser from 12 to 3 p.m. Oct. 27. at Meadows Lanes Bowling, 210 Racetrack Road, North Strabane. The cost to attend the fundraiser is $30 per person or $150 for a lane of 6 bowlers. Included in the entry fee is food, refreshments and bowling. A silent auction and 50/50 raffles will be available. The deadline to make a reservation is Oct. 18. For more information, contact Joanne Slappo at 412-576-4154, laslappo@verizon.net.

AUP Club for Single College Grads 50 and Over

The Association of University People/AUP if looking for single, four-year college graduates over 50 to join the group for monthly dinners, meet at various social spots and gatherings. Interested individuals are welcome to attend activities. For more information, call Mark 412-939-0656.

Oct. 8 — Bridge at the Galleria Mall in Mt. Lebanon – 2 to 5 p.m. Meet outside of Panera Bread. Call Bill at 412-657-7485 to reserve a chair.

Oct. 11 and 25 — Scrabble at the Galleria Mall in Mt. Lebanon – 1 p.m. In the area near Anthropologie. RSVP to Rina 412-341-8009.

Oct. 12 – Oktoberfest and Buffet at Teutonia Männerchor on the North Side – 6 p.m. Tickets are $40, which includes both dinner and entertainment. Call Bill to purchase tickets at 412-657-7485.

Oct. 16 – AUP Members Meeting 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Join AUP friends for a special discussion and social get-together. Meet at Panera Bread in the Galleria.

Oct. 20 – Brunch at Teutonia Männerchor on the North Side — 11:30 a.m. Teutonia Männerchoir 857 Phineas St., Pittsburgh. Cost: $18. RSVP with Bill at 412-657-7485.

Oct. 25 – Scrabble at the Galleria Mall in Mt. Lebanon – 1 p.m. in the area near Anthropologie. Be on time and bring your board. RSVP with Rina Provost at 412-341-8009 or rina.ferrarelli@verizon.net.

Oct. 30 – Dinner at Mia Madre Trattoria in Avalon — 6 p.m. 649 California Ave. in Avalon. Cash only. No alcohol served — BYOB for an $8 corkage fee per bottle. RSVP with Mark at 412-939-0656.

Women’s Evening uscGAL Lecture Series

Upper St. Clair School District will host its first “Sharing Her Story” from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 29 in the Boyce Middle School library. The event, part of the uscGAL initiative, is free and open to the public. The goal of the event is to provide a forum for attendees to hear the life story of successful women, to reflect on their own experiences and to offer an opportunity for girls and women to network and form authentic connections.

The inaugural event will feature Dr. Mary Parks-Lamb, owner of Lamb Medical Concierge & Aesthetic Medicine. Light refreshments will be available and all attendees will have an opportunity to win door prizes. For more information, email Giulia Gouker, uscGAL coordinator and Upper St. Clair High School English teacher, at ggouker@uscsd.k12.pa.us.

Kosher Cooking for a Cause

Love and Knaidels Kosher Cooking for a Cause continues with “Sweet Beginnings Ruglelach Bake” at 6 p.m. Oct. 29 at Chabad of the South Hills, 1701 McFarland Road. Bake two pans, one to take home one to share. Enjoy a buffet of appetizers while you bake. Register online at Chabadsh.com or batya@chabadsh.com.

Spaghetti dinner and bake sale

Trinity United Methodist Church, 530 Center Church Road, Peters Township, will hold its annual spaghetti dinner and bake sale from 4 to 7:30 p.m. Nov. 2 in the church’s Fellowship Hall. Dinner cost is $7 for adults, $4 for children ages 4 to 12 and free for children under 4. Take-out dinners will be available.

Proceeds benefit Trinity’s outreach ministries, including the Appalachia Service Project, a Christian ministry in which volunteer adults and youth repair homes for those in need in rural Central Appalachia. The public is welcome.

Craft Show

There will be a craft and vendor show with 35 vendors benefiting the Family Promise group on Saturday, Nov. 9 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at St. Benedict the Abbot Church in Peters Township in the Pope Benedict Activity Center. The funds raised by the event will help pay for gas for their van that transports the families, purchase items for their breakfast food pantry and diapers for the children. Mark your calendar and make plans to come. Bring your family and friends to shop and have lunch. There will be hot food including pierogies for purchase or to take home for $8 a dozen. They can also be pre-ordered by Oct. 18.

BP Historical Society Selling Ornaments

The Bethel Park Historical Society will honor veterans on the Schoolhouse Arts and History Center Christmas tree this holiday season. Area residents are invited to honor their veteran on a custom 3-inch porcelain ornament featuring the veteran’s photo and branch of military service. Orders are now being accepted for the ornaments, which are $25 each or two for $40. Organizers are asking people to submit their orders by Nov. 1. Ornaments will be available for pick-up at the Schoolhouse Arts and History Center, 2600 South Park Road, from 3 to 6 p.m. Dec. 21. Proceeds from the sale will be used to fund on-going restoration efforts at the Schoolhouse. For more information or to obtain an order form, please call Chris at 412-310-4373 or e-mail bphsfundraiser@gmail.com.

South Hills Women’s Club to Meet

The South Hills Women’s Club will meet at 8 p.m. Nov. 11 at 50 Vanadium Road, Bridgeville. Tammy Hepps will share her usable history regarding genealogy to help others research and apply genealogy to their personal histories and their communities. Those interested in attending should call Sue at 412-257-1057.

Operation Christmas Child Drop-Off

Crossroads Ministries again will serve as a local drop-off site for this year’s Operation Christmas Child shoebox distribution project. Now in its 26th year, Operation Christmas Child, a ministry of Samaritan’s Purse, has collected shoeboxes filled with gifts for children ranging in age from 2 to 14. The shoeboxes are delivered to children in need in the United States and around the world.

Crossroads Ministries is located at 81 Walter Long Drive, Finleyville.

National Collection Week this year is Monday, Nov. 18, through Monday, Nov. 25. Collection hours at Crossroads are Monday, Nov. 18 – 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Tuesday, Nov. 19 – 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Wednesday, Nov. 20 – 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Thursday, Nov. 21 – 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Friday, Nov. 22 – 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 23 – 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.; Sunday, Nov. 24 – noon to 4 p.m.; and Monday, Nov. 25, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Last year churches and community organizations in Southwestern Pennsylvania gathered 19,690 shoeboxes. For more information on Crossroads Ministries’ collection program, please call the church office at 724-348-1620.

‘Worrier to Warrior’ course offered

A six-week series, “Worrier to Warrior: Jewish Secrets to Feeling Good, However You Feel,” starts Nov. 12, presented by Chabad of the South Hills.

Mined from the teachings of the Torah and contemporary psychology, the Rohr Jewish Learning Institute course takes a fresh approach to the battle against bad feelings, providing realistic spiritual mechanisms for remaining upbeat no matter what life brings.

The course sill be offered from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays at the South Hills Jewish Community Center, 345 Kane Blvd., Scott Township, and also from 10:15 to 11:30 a.m. Sundays, starting Nov. 17, at Chabad of the South Hills, 1701 McFarland Road, Mt. Lebanon.

For more information, call 412-344-2424 or email rabbi@chabadsh.com.

Lions scholarship

Bethel Park Lions will award the $5,000 George Meyer Scholarship to a deserving Bethel Park High School senior in the spring of 2020. Applications are available at the counselor’s office at the high school.

Adult Interest Center

The Adult Interest Center at Southminster Presbyterian Church, 799 Washington Road, Mt. Lebanon, began its 45th year of operation in September. The center, which is open to people ages 55 and older, meets at 11 a.m. Fridays in the church’s fellowship hall. Entertainment is featured, with an optional catered lunch for $7.

The schedule includes:

Fitness for 55-plus

Fitness classes for adults 55 and older are scheduled at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Upper St. Clair:

Strong Bodies – Strong Bones, 9 to 9:50 a.m. Wednesdays through Dec. 18. Cost is $65;

Gentle yoga, 5:45 to 6:45 p.m. Mondays and 10 to 11 a.m. Wednesdays, through Oct. 30. Cost is $63;

Arthritis Foundation exercise, 9:30 to 10:20 a.m. Mondays and 10 to 10:50 a.m. Wednesdays, Oct. 28 through Dec. 18. Cost is $40 for Mondays and $35 for Wednesdays;

Tai chi, 11:15 to noon Wednesdays through Dec. 18. Cost is $65.

For more information, visit wroc.westminster-church.org or call 412-835-6630, extension 200.

Safe Driving Class

The South Fayette Township Parks and Recreation Department is offering a Seniors for Safe Driving class Dec. 3 at 5 p.m. at the South Fayette Senior Center at 515 Millers Run Road. It is approved by PennDOT and designed for drivers aged 55 and older. There’s no exam, and there is only classroom instruction. No on-the-road driving is required. Participants can receive a 5 percent discount on their auto insurance premiums for three years, as mandated by Pennsylvania state law. Registration is available by calling (800) 559-4880, by going online to www.seniorsforsafedriving.com or by signing up at the South Fayette Township Building, also located at 515 Millers Run Road.

Grief support

The GriefShare support group meets from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursdays through Dec. 19, at the Bible Chapel, 300 Gallery Drive, Peters Township.

Libraries

Bethel Park Public Library

• A Dumbledore’s Army event will be held at 2 p.m. Oct. 27 and Nov. 24. We solemnly swear to discuss favorite Harry Potter books and movies while either crafting, playing games, watching a movie, or anything else we think up relating to the wizarding world. This event is intended for grades seven and up. To register, call 412-835-2207.

• Toddler Tuesdays will be held Tuesdays until Oct. 22 at 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. This engaging class uses stories, songs, and various activities to foster early literacy skills in young children. For 2- and- 3-year-olds with a caregiver. No registration necessary.

Mt. Lebanon Public Library

• Slovak Heritage, 7 p.m. Oct. 7

Slovak genealogy expert Lisa Alzo will discuss time-saving tips for researching Slovak ancestors.

• Lebo History Night, 7 p.m. Oct. 8

The topic is “FDR at War,” a look at Franklin Roosevelt’s presidency during World War II. Facilitators Glenn Flickinger and Scott Moore are local history enthusiasts with teaching experience.

• Tree Identification Walk in Bird Park ,5:15 p.m. Oct. 10

Meet at the Main Entrance to Bird Park, Off Cedar Boulevard, and not at the library. Joe Stavish from Tree Pittsburgh will be conducting the walk.

• “Sophie: The Incredible Mayor Masloff, 7 p.m. Oct. 14

Barbara Burstin will discuss her new book about former Pittsburgh Mayor Sophie Masloff, who served from 1988 to 1994. She was the first woman and first Jewish person to hold the office.

Burstin is an adjunct professor in the history departments at the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University. A respected Holocaust and Jewish studies scholar, her works include “After the Holocaust: The Migration of Polish Jews and Christians to Pittsburgh,” and she produced a documentary film, “A Jewish Legacy: Pittsburgh” in 2001.

The program is presented by the Historical Society of Mount Lebanon

• “How to Take Better Photos with your DSLR,” 7 p.m. Oct. 17, 24; Nov. 14, 21

Members of the Photo Section Photography Club will teach this four-week course is for beginner/intermediate level photographers. The class will cover the basics from setting up the camera and aperture, shutter and ISO to choosing the right lens filters and flash options.

There is a $10 fee and payment is due in advance. Attendees must register in person at the circulation desk.

• “Morbidity & Mortality: Eight Must Reads for Our Time,” 10 a.m. Oct. 18, 25; Nov. 1, 8,15.

Abby Mendelson will present the series about death: our greatest mystery and greatest fear. Find out how to see or supervise the end of life’s journey with sense and dignity by reading all or part of eight first-rate writers who have dealt with death. Register at the library or at www.mtlebanonlibrary.org.

• A screening of the 2019 documentary “The Great Hack,” which explores how the data company Cambridge Analytica came to symbolize the dark side of social media in the wake of the 2016 U.S. presidential election, is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Oct. 19.

The movie is two hours long and will be followed by an informal discussion. Register at the library or at www.mtlebanonlibrary.org.

South Park Township Library

The Friends of South Park Township Library will hold its annual Fall Book Sale Oct. 10 to 12 at the South Park Township Community Center, 2575 Brownsville Road (across from Bavarian Village). Hours are Thursday, 6 to 8 p.m.; Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Saturday ($5 Bag Day), 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.