Email news briefs and event listings to pvarine@triblive.com or bpoole@triblive.com.
Holiday cookie sale at Cross Roads church
Cross Roads Presbyterian Church, 2310 Haymaker Road, Monroeville, will hold its annual holiday cookie sale Dec. 7 from 9 a.m. until sellout.
For $15, patrons can purchase an empty box and walk through Fellowship Hall, filling it with their favorite cookies. Premade cookie trays also are available for purchase.
The church also welcomes the public to the following Advent services:
• 10 a.m. Dec. 1 – Hanging of the Greens
• 10 a.m. Dec. 8 – Gift of the fourth wise man
• 10 a.m. Dec. 15 – Lessons and carols
• 7:30 p.m. Dec. 19 – Light in the darkness
• 10 a.m. Dec. 22 - Regular worship Service
The children’s Christmas program will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 pm. on Dec. 21 and is open to everyone.
On Christmas Eve, a family service will be at held at 4 p.m. and a traditional service will be held at 9 p.m. Both have a live Nativity.
For questions, contact the church at 412-372-2226.
Priest shares journey at ‘Boomers & Beyond’
Father David Slusarick, parochial vicar at Mother of Sorrows Parish in Murrysville, St. John’s in Delmont and St. Mary’s in Export will be the featured speaker at the Dec. 10 “Boomers & Beyond” speaker series.
Slusarick will share the story of his journey to the priesthood. The presentation will begin at noon at Mother of Sorrows social hall, 4202 Old William Penn Highway in Murrysville.
There is no cost to attend. Participants may bring a bag lunch and a guest.
Symphony East holiday luncheon
The public is invited to the annual Symphony East “Sounds of Joy” holiday luncheon, set for 11:45 a.m. Dec. 2 at the Lamplighter Restaurant on Route 22.
A buffet luncheon will be served at 11:45 a.m. with live entertainment by dance band Dr. Zoot at 1 p.m. The event also will include a holiday basket raffle. The cost of the meal is $35 per person. No reservations are required if only attending the 1 p.m. performance. Performance-only tickets are $15.
The Lamplighter is at 6566 Route 22 in Salem, just outside Delmont.
For more, or to request a reservation form, call 724-327-4864 or visit SymphonyEast.org/events.
Plum Area Ladies Society meeting
Plum Area Ladies Society will celebrate Christmas at the Dec. 4 meeting, held at 6 p.m. at Plum Community Center. The service project is to make Christmas happy for homeless adults by donating gently-worn coats, new hats, gloves, scarves and socks.
Following a Christmas-themed spread, members will exchange gifts. Members should bring a wrapped gift, valued at $15.
PALS is a service and social organization open to women from Plum, Penn Hills, Monroeville and surrounding communities. The community center is at 499 Center New Texas Road.
For more, call Mary Lou at 724 327-8265.
International Women meeting
The International Women of Monroeville will hold its monthly meeting at 9:30 a.m. Dec. 6 at Cross Roads Presbyterian Church, 2310 Haymaker Road in Monroeville.
The December meeting is a holiday celebration, with members bringing their favorite Christmas dishes along with music and carol singing. It is the club’s final meeting until March.
All women in the community are invited.
Toy drive at AY Beauty
AY Beauty in Monroeville is collecting toys for its first community toy drive in partnership with Lean On Me, which organizes support groups for single mothers.
Donations are due by Nov. 30 and can be dropped off at the store, 100 Boyce Park Drive in Monroeville.
For more, call 412-557-8813 or email leanonme412@gmail.com.
Holiday craft, vendor show
Divine Mercy Academy, 245 Azalea Drive, Monroeville, will host a holiday craft and vendor show, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 7.
For more, email dma monroevilleptg@gmail.com.
Convention center events
The following events are slated for the Monroeville Convention Center, 209 Mall Boulevard. For more detailed information about shows, see MonroevilleConventionCenter.com or show-specific websites.
• Steel City Con: Dec. 6-8, Pittsburgh’s biggest semiannual pop culture convention. Hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 6 and 7, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 8. For more, see SteelCity Con.com.
• Showmasters Gun Show: Dec. 14-15, firearms trade show, also includes seminars on defensive pistol classes. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 14 and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 15. Admission is $12; free for children under 12. For more, see Show mastersGunShows.com.
Featured Local Businesses
• Dinosaur Adventure: Dec. 27-29, see dinosaurs “come to life” in realistic costumes at an event filled with prehistoric facts and interactive options for children. Hours are noon to 8 p.m. Dec. 27, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 28 and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Dec. 29. For more, see Dinosaur Adventure.com/events
Litter Hawk contest now open
Environmental nonprofit Keep America Beautiful is seeking entries from children in kindergarten through sixth grade for its Litter Hawk Youth Award Program.
Children are asked to complete a project sharing their hope, optimism and concerns about litter and inspire others through art, words or video.
The theme for this year’s contest is “Join the Greatest American Cleanup: Show us how you can keep your community litter-free for America’s 250th birthday.”
Children in kindergarten through grade 4 can create a poster; those in grade 5 are asked to write an essay; and those in grade 6 can create a video.
The deadline to participate is Jan. 31. Winners will be announced in April as part of an awards ceremony at the state Capitol building in Harrisburg.
For an entry form, go to Keep PABeautiful.org/grants-awards/awards/litter-hawk, email slarson@keeppabeautiful.org or call 724-836-4121, ext. 104.
Heating assistance available
Thousands of eligible customers miss out on bill assistance by not applying for federal grants. With the winter season upon us, many income-eligible customers remain unaware of programs that can significantly reduce their energy bill.
Peoples Natural Gas, an essential utilities company, encourages its customers to take advantage of available resources to help offset winter heating costs.
The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), is now open for the 2024-25 heating season. LIHEAP is a federally funded assistance program that provides grants to eligible low-income households to help pay for heating costs. Grants start at $200 and may be higher based on income and the number of people living in the home.
To qualify for a LIHEAP grant, customers must have a total gross household income at or below 150% of the federal poverty level. Customers do not have to be on public assistance or have an unpaid heating bill. LIHEAP is open to renters and homeowners. To learn more about the income limits and to apply, visit PA.gov/en/agencies/dhs.html, click on Services in the menu and search for LIHEAP.
In addition to LIHEAP, Peoples offers programs to help make energy-saving home improvements that reduce long-term costs. If you or someone you know needs assistance, call 1-800-400-WARM (9276) or visit peoples-gas.com/help to learn more.
Alzheimer’s, dementia webinar
More than 6 million individuals are living with Alzheimer’s disease in the U.S., and there are about 11 million unpaid caregivers supporting them. Around the world, the disease impacts about 50 million people.
Penn State Extension is joining forces with the Alzheimer’s Association to present a free webinar, “Understanding Alzheimer’s and Dementia,” to provide an overview of Alzheimer’s and dementia.
This webinar will take place from 6 to 7 p.m. Nov. 29.
The program is designed for people who are facing an Alzheimer’s or dementia diagnosis, for caregivers looking after someone with these conditions, and for anyone who wants to learn more about Alzheimer’s and other dementia.
Participants will learn:
• How Alzheimer’s disease affects people.
• The difference between Alzheimer’s and dementia.
• The stages of Alzheimer’s and what makes some people more likely to get it.
• What scientists are discovering and the treatments available to help with some of the symptoms.
This webinar is free, but attendees must register by Nov. 29 to get access to the link. Those who register also will receive a link to watch the recording of the program.
For details and to sign up, visit the Penn State Extension website at Extension.psu.edu/ understanding-alzheimers -and-dementia or call 1-877-345-0691.