Email news briefs and event listings to pvarine@triblive.com or bpoole@triblive.com.
Pumpkin patch fundraiser
Monroeville United Methodist Church will host a pumpkin patch fundraiser through Oct. 31.
Church members will be selling pumpkins in all shapes, sizes and colors for carving, decorating, making pumpkin pies and more, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. Proceeds will benefit the church’s annual Methodist Youth Winter Retreat.
The church is at 219 Center Road in Monroeville.
‘No Tricks, All Treats’
Families are invited to a special trick-or-treating event at William Penn Village Plaza, 4366 Old William Penn Highway in Monroeville.
It will be from 3-5 p.m. Oct. 20 at the shopping plaza, with a variety of participating businesses. Radio station WISH 99.7 FM will also be at the free, all-ages event.
For more, email notyourmomsnailstudio@gmail.com or call 724-382-8336.
Symphony East performance
Musicians from Duquesne University’s Mary Pappert School of Music will present an Oct. 21 program in Salem.
It will be at 1 p.m. at The Lamplighter, 6566 William Penn Highway in Salem. The program is open to the public and reservations are not required. The cost is $10 for adults.
For more, see SymphonyEast.org/events.
Volunteers sought for litter pick-up
Members of “Patton’s Pickers” are looking for volunteers to help with an Oct. 19 litter clean-up.
The group will be collecting trash along Route 48 from 8:30-10:30 a.m. Volunteers can meet in the parking lot of Compunetix, 2420 Mosside Boulevard in Monroeville. Bring a small backpack to carry bags.
To sign up, email pattonspickers@gmail.com or call 412-657-8559.
Association of University People meet-up
The Association of University People invites singles age 50 and older, who are 4-year college graduates, to join them for activities, trips, monthly dinners and concerts.
An upcoming dinner will take place at 5 p.m. Nov. 7 at Taipei Tokyo, 304 Mall Boulevard in Monroeville.
RSVP by Nov. 1 to tonypolombo@gmail.com.
For more on AUP, call 412-353-9088 or email aupsingles@gmail.com.
Bingo at Divine Mercy Academy
Divine Mercy Academy will host a super bingo at 6:45 p.m. Oct. 19 at Christ the Divine Shepherd Church, 245 Azalea Drive in Monroeville.
Tickets are $30 and include 10 rounds of regular bingo, three specials and one jackpot. Extra bingo boards are available. Pull tabs, 50/50 and basket auctions will also be available throughout the evening. Doors open at 5:45 p.m.
For more, email saflaherty625@gmail.com.
Hockey program seeks players
The Gateway Ice Hockey Club is seeking youth players in kindergarten through sixth grade to join its developmental program, which starts Oct. 20 at Palmer Imaging Arena, 100 Center Ice Drive, Salem.
No prior playing experience is necessary and the club can provide loaner starter equipment. Players do not have to reside in the Gateway School District.
For more, email gatewaydevohockey@gmail.com.
Trivia Night at the library
Friends of the Monroeville Public Library will host Trivia Night from 7 to 9 p.m. on Oct. 19 at the library. Doors open at 6 p.m.
The after-hours event is for those age 21 and older.
A cash prize of $100 will be given for the first place team and $50 for second place.
Light refreshments and beverages are included in the ticket price. There will be a bake sale. Tickets for raffle baskets and a 50/50 drawing will be available for purchase.
For more information on ticket pricing, table options and to purchase tickets, visit the circulation desk or monroevillelibrary.org.
The library is at 4000 Gateway Campus Blvd.
Pancake breakfast
Garden City United Methodist Church will host a pancake breakfast and bake sale from 9 a.m. to noon Oct. 26.
The all-you-can-eat breakfast costs $9 for adults and $4 for children ages 4-12. Children under 3 years old are free.
The church is at 500 Laurel Drive in Monroeville.
ESCA fundraiser
East Suburban Citizen Advocacy, a nonprofit organization that promotes and supports people with developmental disabilities, will host an Oct. 19 fundraiser at the YMCA of Laurel Highlands in East Huntingdon.
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The fundraiser will be led by artist Gabi Nastuck of Miss Gabi’s Art is Good Studio, and is open to people of all ages and abilities. Participants will learn how to create a fall painting of a pumpkin. Sessions will be at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. at the YMCA, 490 Bessemer Road.
The registration cost is $40 and includes all painting supplies and light refreshments. Proceeds benefits ESCA’s programs, which are free to those with disabilities in Westmoreland and eastern Allegheny counties.
To register, see EastSuburbanCitizenAdvocacy.org/events and click on the Oct. 19 event link.
Tips on self-publishing
Monroeville author Leslie Savisky will host a talk on self-publishing at 7 p.m. Oct. 15 at the Monroeville Public Library.
Savisky is a freelance writer for the Times Express and Pittsburgh Parent magazine, and is the author of three self-published novels.
She will discuss her personal writing journey, an overview of Amazon Kindle’s Direct Publishing and IngramSpark, helpful website and apps, marketing your books and gaining exposure as an independent author, and the pros and cons of self-publishing.
Registration is recommended by calling 412-372-0500, ext. 122 or emailing littlec2@einetwork.net.
The library is at 4000 Gateway Campus Blvd.
Public welcome at church events
Hillcrest Presbyterian Church, 1622 James St., Monroeville, invites the public to the following free, all-ages events:
• Oct. 18: Friday Night Hot Dog Roast: From 6:30 - 8 p.m., families are invited to bring their lawn chairs, sit back and relax outside the church. The evening will include music, a campfire, hot dogs and s’mores.
• Oct. 20: “Powerful Songs for a Powerful God”: Directed by Lynn DeFalco, this concert will feature the Hillcrest Community Choir, Andrew Boag, Charelle Unique, Robert Herold and Frank and Lois Clark.
For more information, call the church at 412-824-5600.
Blood donors sought for fall drive
The American Red Cross is encouraging donors of all blood types and platelets, especially those who have never donated before, to consider doing so in the month of October.
According to the Red Cross, only three out of 100 Americans donate blood. Donations are critical to keep the blood supply stable during the fall months.
Donations of all blood types — particularly those with type O, the most transfused type — are needed.
Anyone who donates through Oct. 31 will receive a $10 Amazon gift card by email and will be automatically entered for a chance to win one of three $5,000 gift cards. For details, visit RedCrossBlood.org/Treat.
To make an appointment, download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 800-RED-CROSS (800-733-2767).
Prospective donors also can enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment or to seek more information.
A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 and older in most states, weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood.
Gingerbread house contest
Registration for the 22nd annual City of Pittsburgh Gingerbread House Competition is now open at Pittsburghpa.gov/gingerbread through 11:59 p.m. Nov. 10.
The CitiParks Office of Special Events welcomes entries from individuals, schools, communities, nonprofits and professionals from Allegheny County and beyond.
The competition started in 2002 with downtown Pittsburgh hotels to benefit the Children’s Hospital Free Care Fund. It since has attracted thousands of entries and visitors to PPG Place before moving to the City-County Building in 2019.
The Office of Special Events also recently announced a new partnership with Clearview Federal Credit Union to present the city’s official holiday events, including the gingerbread contest and the 109th Tree Lighting Ceremony to illuminate the only live holiday tree in Downtown Pittsburgh.
This year’s gingerbread display at the City County Building will open with a ceremony Nov. 22, with the entries remaining on view for Light Up Night on Nov. 23 through early January. In addition to 19 categories, participants will be eligible for overall awards such as “Clearview Choice,” as voted on by Clearview representatives, and “Curator’s Choice,” which will be selected by Carnegie Museum of Art staff.
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For details about the gingerbread contest, visit pittsburghpa.gov/gingerbread, email specialevents@pittsburghpa.gov or follow @pgheventsoffice on social media.
Rotary offering need-based scholarships
The Bob Williams Rotary Memorial Scholarship Program is accepting applications from high school seniors and GED students for 2024-25.
This year, eight need-based scholarships at $5,000 each will be awarded.
The scholarships are open to students in Allegheny and Beaver counties, as well as those attending New Kensington-Arnold, Kiski Area and Burrell Area high schools and The Kiski School in Westmoreland County. Vocational students, GED students and those attending parochial, charter and private schools also are eligible.
Students must have a 2.5 or higher GPA and must complete an essay highlighting their community/school service.
Complete application and criteria materials are available on the website of Rotary District 7305 at Rotarydistrict7305.org/scholarships.php or from area high school counselors.
The deadline to apply is Feb. 28. Applications postmarked after that date will not be accepted.
For details, email Robert Arbuckle, chairperson of the scholarship committee, at rarbuckl@yahoo.com.