Email news briefs and event listings to pvarine@triblive.com.
Spring cantata concert
The Murrysville Cantata Choir will present “Blessed: A Holy Week Journey Through the Beatitudes,” a cantata by composer Joel Raney, on April 13.
The newly released cantata presents the life of Christ through the lens of the beatitudes. The choir will be accompanied by piano and a small chamber ensemble.
The choir is in its eighth season.
The concert will be at 4 p.m. April 13 at First Presbyterian Church, 3202 North Hills Road in Murrysville.
There is no cost to attend, however a free-will donation will be accepted.
For more, call 724-327-0728.
ESAL welcomes augmented reality artist
Augmented reality artist Christopher Ruane will be the featured speaker at the East Suburban Art League’s April 3 meeting in Murrysville.
Ruane is a pioneer in the extended reality space, combining virtual reality, augmented reality and mixed reality and blending the real and digital worlds. He was recently awarded the grand prize at the 2024 New Media Film Festival by judges from HBO, Marvel and the Grammy Awards.
The league’s meeting will be at 7 p.m. at Christ’s Lutheran Church, 5330 Old Logan Ferry Road in Murrysville.
For more, call 412-373-0711 or see ESALart.org.
AARP driving course
AARP will host a two-day “Smart Driver” class that can result in a discount on auto insurance.
The classes will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 7-8 at the Delmont Public Library at 75 School Street. Both days are required of participants.
Instructors will teach safe, proven driving techniques and refresh drivers’ skills with left turns, right-of-way and navigating roundabouts.
Register by calling 412-438-8413.
Youth ministry director at ‘Boomers & Beyond’
The Mother of Sorrows’ “Boomers & Beyond” speaker series will welcome the church’s regional youth ministry director, Jacon Gindhart, as its featured speaker on April 8.
The meeting will be at noon at the church’s social hall, 4202 Old William Penn Highway in Murrysville.
Gindhart will discuss how his experience in and out of seminary led him to youth ministry, and discuss why it is vitally important in the modern church.
The public is invited; there is no cost to attend. Participants may bring a bag lunch and a guest.
GOP committee candidate interviews
The Murrysville Republican Committee invited registered Republicans to take part in interviews of their party’s candidates for Murrysville mayor and council, and for the Franklin Regional school board.
Interviews will take place at 7 p.m. March 27 at the Murrysville Community Center at 3091 Carson Street. They will be conducted by three members of the committee and candidates will provide information on their background, relative experience and reasons for pursuing election.
The primary election is scheduled for May 20.
For more, call 724-327-5594 or email mgfey@comcast.net.
Chess tournaments
Library chess tournaments are taking place across Westmoreland County this spring. Tournaments will take place at the following dates and locations:
• March 22, 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Delmont Public Library, 75 School Street.
• March 29, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Murrysville Community Library, 4130 Sardis Road.
• March 29, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Penn Area Library, 2001 Municipal Court in Penn Township.
• April 12, 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Ligonier Valley Library, 120 West Main Street in Ligonier Borough.
Competition will be sorted into junior (grades 4 and below) and senior (grades 5-8) divisions.
Register online at ShortURL.at/ykH8Q.
Inclusive open mic night
Franklin Regional Senior High School in partnership with Band Together Pittsburgh will host an inclusive, autism-friendly open mic night from 6-8:30 p.m. April 1.
There will be drums, a keyboard microphones and a PA system set up, as well as free pizza, drinks and dessert.
It will be at the FR high school cafeteria, 3200 School Road South in Murrysville.
All ages are welcome. RSVP online at BandTogetherPGH.org/events.
Musical mystery fundraiser
The Delmont Visionary Committee will host a “Musical Mysteries & More” fundraiser from 5:30-9 p.m. May 10 at The Lamplighter.
Tickets are $55 for the evening of comedy, mystery and musical theater. It will also include basket raffles and a 50/50 drawing.
Featured Local Businesses
Tickets are available by emailing delmontvisionarycommittee@gmail.com. The Lamplighter is at 6566 William Penn Highway in Salem.
Upcoming public meetings
Here is a list of upcoming public and local government meetings.
• Export council, 6:30 p.m. April 1 at the borough building, 5821 Washington Avenue. An agenda is available in advance at ExportPennsylvania.com.
• Murrysville council, 7 p.m. April 2 at the municipal building, 4100 Sardis Road. An agenda is available in advance at Murrysville.com. Meetings are broadcast live on Comcast local access Channel 21 and streamed live at Murrysville.com on the Channel 21 page.
• Delmont council, 7 p.m. April 8 at the borough building, 77 Greensburg Street. An agenda is available in advance at DelmontBoro.com.
• Franklin Regional school board combined workshop/voting meetings, 7:30 p.m. April 22 at the Murrysville municipal building, 4100 Sardis Road. Meetings are broadcast live on Comcast local access Channel 21, streamed live at Murrysville.com on the Channel 21 page and archived on the district’s YouTube page.
Woman’s Club spring fundraiser
The Murrysville Woman’s Club will host its annual spring fundraising event at 10 a.m. March 29.
It will be at The Lamplighter, 6566 William Penn Highway in Salem. Tickets are $35, and all proceeds benefit the club’s community projects.
The event will feature a breakfast buffet, music by the Sweet Adelines and raffle baskets.
For tickets, call 412-750-5809.
May school board meeting dates changed
The Franklin Regional school board will alter its regular meeting schedule in May. The board’s committee-of-the-whole (non-voting) meeting will be May 5. Its voting meeting will take place May 12.
Both will be at the Murrysville municipal building at 4100 Sardis Road. Meetings are broadcast live on Comcast local access Channel 21, streamed live at Murrysville.com on the Channel 21 page and archived on the school district’s YouTube page.
Free tax preparation
AARP is currently taking appointments to help area residents prepare and file their 2024 taxes.
Appointments are required in advance for sessions that will take place March 28 and April 11 at the Murrysville Community Center, 3091 Carson Ave. in Murrysville.
No walk-up services will be offered. To make an appointment and for more information about who qualifies, call 724-374-8176.
AUP inviting new members
The Association of University People (AUP) invites singles 50-plus, who are four-year college graduates, to join them for activities and to meet new people. Activities include monthly dinners, social gatherings, concerts, meeting up at local wineries, day trips and Scrabble.
Those interested can attend three activities as guests before joining.
To obtain more information about AUP or become an AUP member, call and leave a message at 412-353-9088 or email AUPsingles@gmail.com.
Pet walk to benefit rescues planned for Boyce Park
The Wildflower Pet Walk, formerly the Friends of Jupiter Pet Walk, will be held April 27 at the Tanglewood Shelter on Pierson Run Road at Boyce Park.
The event starts at 9 a.m., with the walk beginning at 10 a.m., and will take place rain or shine. It includes a 1-mile walk, basket raffle, pet vendors, pet photos, food truck and local rescues. New dog and cat items will be collected for rescues.
Walk participants must register and sign a release. People may walk with or without a pet. All dogs must be leashed, licensed and vaccinated, and be people and dog friendly.
Proceeds benefit local rescues including Wildflowers Sanctuary, East Coast Bulldog Rescue, Homeless Cat Management Team and Bridges from Kuwait.
For details and how to get involved, visit amongthewildflowerssanctuary.com or email amongthewildflowerssanctuary@gmail.com.