To have your news or event listed in our briefs section, email editor Marje Horvath at mhorvath@triblive.com.
District’s senior citizens invited to free dress rehearsal of spring musical
Senior citizens in the Fox Chapel Area School District are invited to attend the dress rehearsal of the spring musical “Something Rotten!” at 3:30 p.m. Feb. 24 in the high school auditorium, 611 Field Club Road, O’Hara.
Refreshments will be served at 3 p.m. in the auditorium lobby before the performance. The dress rehearsal is free for all district residents 60 and older.
The show is listed as PG-13 for some mature humor.
Reservations are required. To make a reservation, call 412-967-2410.
Audubon Society offering summer camps
The Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania is hosting Audubon Nature Camps this summer at its Butler, Fox Chapel and Sarver locations.
Full-day and half-day camps are available. Each week has a different theme.
Outdoor Discovery camps for grades K-6, Wilderness Skills for Survival for grades 5-8, Birdz 101 and Birdz 201 camps for grades 6-9. A four-hour training course, Audubon-Naturalists-in-Training (ANTS), for teens 13-18 is free, but participants must commit to 30 hours of service with the Outdoor Discovery campers.
Scholarships are available.
The cost for full-day camps range from $365 to $395 per member and $410 to $440 per nonmember; for half-day camps, the cost is $185 per member, $205 per nonmember.
For details, visit aswp.org.
O’Hara residents invited to meet police, enjoy movie
O’Hara Council invites residents to a fun Cookies and Cocoa With the Cops Plus a Movie event at 4 p.m. March 1 at the Lauri Ann West Community Center, 1220 Powers Run Road.
Come and meet members of the O’Hara Police Department, while enjoying some sweets, and stick around for a showing of “How to Train Your Dragon,” a PG-rated movie.
The event starts at 4 p.m., and the movie will start around 4:30.
Community invited to Lenten Taizé service
Christ the King Parish is celebrating a Lenten Taizé service at 7 p.m. Feb. 25 at St. Scholastica Church, 309 Brilliant Ave., Aspinwall.
The Taizé service is evening prayer for all Christian faiths and offers a contemplative experience of meditative prayer, song, silence and Scripture.
Everyone is welcome to attend.
Display showcases Sharpsburg history
Sharpsburg is celebrating its bicentennial in 2026 and is marking the milestone with a special display put together by the Sharpsburg Historic Commission.
Everyone is welcome to view photographs and artifacts from the borough’s fire and police departments during any weekend in February.
The Sharpsburg Bicentennial Display is available to view for free from 6 to 9 p.m. Fridays and 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays at Ketchup City Creative, 612 Main St. The art gallery is across the street from the Sharpsburg high-rise.
Murder-mystery dinner to benefit addiction ministry
Addiction Recovery Ministry is sponsoring a baseball-themed murder-mystery dinner fundraiser April 26 at St. Joseph Church, 342 Dorseyville Road.
The cost is $50 per ticket and includes a catered buffet dinner and interactive show.
Attendees will journey to Muddyville and watch as its best players rack up some impressive RBIs, ERAs — and at least one DOA! Pittsburgh-based Mystery’s Most Wanted will present plenty of laughs, clues and twists as the mystery unfolds.
Doors will open at 4 p.m.
All proceeds will go toward helping those suffering from addiction and the people who love them.
There also will be basket raffles and a 50-50 raffle. Monetary donations, gift cards and raffle baskets are welcome.
For details and reservations, call 412-378-9290.
Free class offered on mindfulness, trauma
Addiction Recovery Ministry, in conjunction with Awaken Pittsburgh, will present a free course on mindfulness and trauma from 9 to 10 a.m. Feb. 21 at the John Paul I Center, 201 Ninth St., Sharpsburg.
The session will explore the basics of the nervous system states in relation to trauma. Responses, as well as up and down-regulating practices, to work with these different states will be explored.
To RSVP for the class, call Rosemarie at 412-378-9290 or email rhaasarm@gmail.com.
Backpack for Hunger welcomes donations, volunteers
Childhood hunger is an issue, even in the Fox Chapel area.
The Fox Chapel Area School District is the most socioeconomically diverse in Pennsylvania. More than 25% of the approximately 4,000 students in the district meet the low-income requirements to qualify for the free and/or reduced-price lunch program.
The Backpack for Hunger program helps to fill the gap. Twice a month, a group of volunteers gathers to pack food bags, which are then delivered to schools to be distributed to students on a weekly or more frequent basis, as needed. In addition to being volunteer-driven, Backpack for Hunger also is dependent on public donations to purchase food. The current high food prices mean more children than ever before need Backpack for Hunger’s food bags. These high food prices also make the Backpack for Hunger program more expensive to fund. Donations are especially needed at this time.
To donate to Backpack for Hunger or to help with packing food bags, visit the program’s website at backpackforhunger.org or call 412-418-6254. Donations may be mailed to Backpack for Hunger, P.O. Box 11266, Pittsburgh, PA 15238.
Fox Chapel’s cleanup day slated for March 21
The Fox Chapel Park Commission seeks volunteers for the annual Fox Chapel Clean Up Day from 9 to 11 a.m. March 21.
Volunteers are asked to meet in the McCahill Park parking lot, where they will be dispersed to various roads and intersections in the borough. Work gloves, garbage bags and safety vests will be provided.
March your calendars for the commission’s annual Fox Chapel Garlic Mustard Pull, which will take place from 9 to 11 a.m. May 2. Volunteers again will meet in the McCahill Park parking lot. Based on observations of current invasive species, they will be dispersed to various parks. Trash bags will be provided. Garden gloves are recommended but not required.
Participants must complete a volunteer waiver form. To access the form, visit https://qrco.de/bfgZGw.
Indiana Township seeks administrative assistant, finance director
Indiana Township is accepting applications for an administrative assistant and finance director.
The administrative assistant position is 24 to 30 hours per week, and office experience is a must. Pay is biweekly and compensation is $20.60 an hour, with an annual increase when permitted. A background check also is required.
The deadline to apply for the finance director position is April 1. Minimum qualifications include a bachelor’s degree in accounting or a related field and/or progressively responsible municipal accounting experience. Applicants should include their salary requirements with their resumes.
To view the full job descriptions, visit indianatownship.com.
Resumes and a list of references can be mailed to Indiana Township, Attention: Holly Sammartino, 3710 Saxonburg Blvd, Pittsburgh, PA 15238, or emailed to hsammartino@indianatownship.com.
Board night for adults, arts and crafts, tot time set at center
The Lauri Ann West Community Center, 1220 Powers Run Road, hosts a variety of community events, including:
• Community Board Game Night for Adults: 6 to 8 p.m. Feb. 20. Bring your friends or make some new ones at the center while playing classics board games such as Monopoly, Trivial Pursuit or Scrabble. This is an 18-and-over event, and attendees are welcome to bring their favorite adult beverages and snacks. More than 20 board games will be available to choose from, or you can bring your favorite from home. Food also will be available for purchase through Aspinwall Everyday Gourmet. This event is free and open to all. Registration is required. to register, visit lauriannwestcc.org/event/community-board-game-night-for-adults.
• New! Arts and Crafts with the Lauri Ann West Crew: 1 to 3 p.m. Feb. 21. Members of our Arts and Enrichment After School (A&E) or programming staff will offer a two-hour free program for school-aged students. This event is free and open to the public, but registration is required at lauriannwestcc.org/event/arts-crafts-with-the-lauri-ann-west-crew/2026-02-21.
• Audubon Society of Western Pa.: Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania: 6 p.m. Feb. 26. Chris Bason, executive director of ASWP, will give an overview presentation about his new role with the organization and current activities happening at Beechwood. He will be bringing along their raptor friends for an up-close and personal look. This event is free and open to the public. To help us plan for room set up, register at lauriannwestcc/programs/speakerseries-events.
• New! Social Tables: 1:45 to 3 p.m. Feb. 27. Join us for social time to enjoy your favorite activity. Come on your own or bring a group of friends. We have board games available. If board games don’t interest you, try your hand at card games, mahjong, have a book club meeting, knit, read or even work. Bring your own cards or mahjong set if you’re interested in that particular activity. Feel free to bring drinks and snacks. Multiple tables will be set up in the Alexander Family Community Room. Your reservation saves a spot for you. If you want to bring a group, book as many spots as you need. Each table seats six people. Individuals are encouraged to drop in and find others to spend time with, learn a new game or just socialize. This event is free and open to the public. Please register at lauriannwestcc.org/programs/speakerseries-events so we can plan for your arrival. If you are not a current fitness member of the community center, stop by at the Welcome Desk to sign a release of liability.
• Tot Time Open Play: 1:45 to 3:15 p.m. March 6. Guests 5 and younger and their adults are invited to run around the Alexander Family Community Room and burn off energy. This is unstructured and unsupervised play time, so guardians must stay and supervise their children. Please register at lauriannwestcc.org/programs/speakerseries-events so we can plan for your arrival.
• Ticks — Lyme and Other Tick-Borne Conditions: 6 p.m. March 19. Join Libby Ernharth, PA-C to learn about Lyme disease, anaplasmosis and other looming tick-borne diseases in the area. Sshe will use local patient cases to explain the epidemiology, presenting symptoms and treatment options available in Western Pennsylvania.
Registration open for summer camps
Registration for Lauri Ann West Community Center’s themed summer camps, which will run for nine weeks from June 15 through Aug. 14. The camps are for children ages 3 to 13.
Fan-favorite weeks such as Our Town, Carnival and Myths and Legends are back, along with new Friday surprises and a brand-new theme — Crafting the World Games — where art and sports come together for an action-packed week.
Scholarships are available.
To learn more about the weekly themes, visit lauriannwestcc.org/summer-camps-2026.
Story times set for incoming kindergartners
All four elementary schools in the Fox Chapel Area School District are hosting in-person story times for incoming 2026-27 kindergarten students and their parents/guardians.
The program is designed to prepare all prospective kindergarten students — those age 5 on or by Sept. 1 — for starting school during the 2026-27 school year.
The story times will enable the incoming students to become acquainted with their elementary school and enjoy a story and activity with the kindergarten teachers. Parents/guardians will gain valuable information regarding school readiness and kindergarten registration.
Children and their parents/guardians are encouraged to attend all of the story times offered at their prospective school:
• Fairview Elementary School: 2 to 3 p.m. March 11 and April 16
• Hartwood Elementary School: 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. March 11 and April 15
• Kerr Elementary School: 2 to 3 p.m. March 12 and April 16
• O’Hara Elementary School: March 10 and April 14; two sessions — 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. for incoming students with last names beginning with A-K and 2 to 3 p.m. for those with last names L-Z
Preregistration is requested.
To register for the story times and for details, visit kdgfcasd.com.
School district seeks input on comprehensive plan
The Fox Chapel Area School District is conducting community focus groups to support its ongoing work on a new comprehensive plan.
The focus groups will provide additional thoughts and ideas to inform the process. The community focus groups will be about 90 minutes in length and will be held virtually and in person.
District residents and business owners interested in participating in a focus group should contact Kathleen Anuszek, executive assistant to the superintendent, at 412-967-2413 or kathleen_anuszek@fcasd.edu.
Community focus group sessions will be held:
• 2 to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 18 (virtual)
• 5 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 19 (virtual)
Registration for a focus group will close 48 hours before the session is set to begin to allow adequate time for necessary arrangements to be made. Those who sign up will receive a link via email for the community focus group session that they indicated an interest in attending.
Fundraising under way for Polar Plunge, Pens raffle
Students from Fox Chapel Area High School and Dorseyville Middle School are fundraising for the annual Pittsburgh Cool Schools Polar Plunge, which will take place Feb. 27 at Acrisure Stadium.
The money raised will help fund the school district’s and other Special Olympics Unified Sports teams in the Three Rivers Region. Donations can be made to Fox Chapel Area’s team at give.specialolympicspa.org/team/790101.
Once again, a local family will match a portion of every donation given to Fox Chapel Area’s team, up to $50,000, which is the team’s goal this year.
Last year, the Fox Chapel Area School District team raised $44,807, and it was the third consecutive year that the Fox Chapel Area team raised the most money out of all the school teams in Pennsylvania. Over the past three years, the Fox Chapel Area Polar Plunge team has raised $122,007.
The public also can support the Fox Chapel Area team through a raffle to win a Pittsburgh Penguins experience that includes a luxury suite game night for four people. The cost of tickets is $25 each, and the drawing will take place Feb. 12. The raffle also benefits Fox Families Care, a nonprofit that works closely with the Fox Chapel Area School District to bridge the gap between the needs and resources of Fox Chapel Area youths and families. For details about the raffle, visit tinyurl.com/3w7ahbas.
Help available for people grieving loved ones
Are you grieving the loss of a loved one or know someone who is?
Consider joining GriefShare for hope, healing and guidance.
GriefShare is a 13-week, nondenominational Christian faith-based support group that meets from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Thursdays, starting March 5 through May 28, at Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church, 384 Fox Chapel Road.
For details or questions, email Gail Harger at gailharger@verizon.net or visit griefshare.org/findagroup to register directly.
Fox Hill Preschool open house to include puppet show
The Fox Hill Preschool will host an open house from 10 to 11 a.m. Feb. 21, followed by a puppet show from 11 to 11:30 a.m.
The preschool is located in Faith United Methodist Church, 261 W. Chapel Ridge Road, in Fox Chapel.
It offers programs for children ages 2 to 5 and is open to all ethnic and religious backgrounds.
The curriculum promotes creativity as well as social and emotional growth, while emphasizing basic universal values, such as kindness, friendship, honesty, compassion and patience.
To learn more, visit foxhillpreschool.org.
Aspinwall Dog Park permits on sale through March 31
Permits for 2026 to use the Aspinwall Dog Park, located at the Aspinwall Recreational Area, are on sale through March 31.
The cost for residents is $15 and $10 for an additional dog. For nonresidents, the price is $30 and $15 for an additional dog.
To register for a permit, visit www.tocite.net/aspinwallpa/portal/permit.
Pre-K program applications now being accepted
The Fox Chapel Area School District is accepting applications for its 2026-27 pre-kindergarten program through April 10.
This will be the eighth year for the program, which is housed at Kerr Elementary School, 341 Kittanning Pike, in O’Hara. The program is open to students across the district who turn 4 on or before Sept. 1, 2026.
The program will run from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and will consist of a 4-year-old classroom with 20 students.
All students must be toilet-trained and able to use the bathroom without adult assistance. Parents/guardians must be able to provide transportation to and from school. The program requires a five-day-a-week commitment; after 10 absences, a child may be withdrawn from the program.
Students are eligible for the program based on their family’s income, which must be below the 300% poverty level for the size of the family.
Enrollment forms, including the pre-kindergarten program application, income verification form and commitment form are available on the district’s pre-kindergarten website at prek.fcasd.edu. The completed forms and proof of income (a copy of most recent W-2 or three current pay stubs) should be mailed to Fox Chapel Area School District Pre-Kindergarten Program, c/o Dr. Ashley Constantine, 611 Field Club Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15238.
If more than 20 applications are received by April 10, a random selection process will occur the week of April 20. Parents/guardians who have a child selected for the program will receive an acceptance letter with additional information to begin the registration process. All other eligible students will be placed on an ordered wait list.
For questions, contact Dr. Ashley Constantine, Fox Chapel Area School District’s executive director of elementary education and instruction, at ashley_constantine@fcasd.edu or 412-967-2455. Additional information also is available on the pre-kindergarten website.
Registration for kindergarten starting soon
Registration for children who will enter kindergarten in the fall is scheduled in the Fox Chapel Area School District for March. The district also offers various preregistration events, including parent/guardian orientations and 2026-27 kindergarten story times, that are held beginning in February.
Starting on Feb. 3, parents and guardians can visit register.fcasd.edu to begin the registration process. Once the online forms are complete, parents and guardians will attend the school’s registration day, at a specific time, with their supporting documents. Orientation meetings to acquaint parents/guardians with the kindergarten program and registration process are scheduled in February.
Children must be 5 on or before Sept. 1 to be admitted to kindergarten in the 2026-27 school year. A certificate of birth date, immunization records, two proofs of residency and a photo ID must be presented for registration. A child will not be officially registered in the school until all of these items are presented.
Here is the schedule for in-person parent orientation meetings and kindergarten registration. Parents and guardians will choose a specific registration time once they complete the online registration.
Fairview Elementary School — registration: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 4. The school is located at 738 Dorseyville Road in Indiana Township. Phone: 412-963-9315.
Hartwood Elementary School — registration: 8 to 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. March 4. The school is located at 3730 Saxonburg Blvd. in Indiana Township. Phone: 412-767-5396.
Kerr Elementary School — registration: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 3. The school is located at 341 Kittanning Pike in O’Hara Township. Phone: 412-781-4105.
O’Hara Elementary School — registration: 9:30 a.m. to noon and 12:30 to 3 p.m. p.m. March 5. The school is located at 115 Cabin Lane in O’Hara Township. Phone: 412-963-0333.
Additionally, districtwide registration sessions for all elementary schools will be held in March for those unable to attend the individual school registration dates and times. Registration for all incoming kindergartners will be from 4 to 6 p.m. March 3 at Kerr Elementary School and 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. March 5 at O’Hara Elementary School.
Incoming kindergarten families also are encouraged to sign up for the story times hosted by their elementary school. To sign up and to learn more about programs for incoming kindergartners, visit kdgfcasd.com.
Blawnox Food Pantry to be open Feb. 27
The Blawnox Food Pantry will be open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 27 at 376 Freeport Road.
Pantry operations have shifted this year to a ticket system similar to a supermarket deli to help eleviate wait times and people lining up around the block to get food.
Participants may arrive at 10:45 a.m. to start picking their tickets.
No proof of residency or income is required.
For details, call 412-828-4141.
Sharpsburg VFW hosts winter flea markets, benefit breakfasts
The Sharpsburg Winter Flea Market and Sharpsburg VFW Post 709 benefit breakfast take place from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on select Sundays — Feb. 22, March 8 and March 22 — at the social club, 1017 Main St.
Vendor setup starts at 7 a.m., and free vendor tables are offered while available. due to limited space, call 412-781-7771to reserve a table.
A variety of breakfasts will be available, ranging in price from $5 to $14. Additional sides range from $1 to $2.50. All breakfasts include a choice of coffee, hot tea, soda or bottle of water. Follow VFW 709 on Facebook for the full menu and updates.
Breakfast is cash only. No bills over $20, please.
Follow VFW 709 on Facebook for updates.
Sign-ups underway in Sharpsburg for baseball, softball teams
Sign-ups are now open for the spring season of the Sharpsburg Baseball and Softball Association.
If you’re looking for a fun, positive way to get your children active this season, we’re here to help.
Available programs are:
• T-ball: Ages 4-6
• Instructional baseball: Ages 7–8
• Boys baseball: Up to age 12
• Girls softball: Up to age 13
Participants will learn the game, build confidence, make friends and have fun on the field.
For details or to sign up, call or text Denise Hoffman at 412-352-5158 or reach out by email at sbsa.playball@gmail.com.
Commemorative bricks available to honor Blawnox veterans
Memorial bricks are still available for purchase to honor current or former Blawnox residents who have served our country.
Many bricks already have been installed at the Veterans Memorial, along with new lamps and new pavers, along Freeport Road.
The memorial aims to serve as both a remembrance and a living memorial.
To purchase a brick in honor of a veteran, visit BricksRUs.com/DonorSite/BlawnoxCentennial.
Each brick measures 4 inches by 8 inches and costs $100.
Select commemorative products also can be purchased as keepsakes, including a donor brick for $60, an exact duplicate of the brick purchased with the addition of felt backing; a souvenir brick for $25, a smaller option that fits in one’s hand bearing your custom inscription; and a donor certificate for $10, a laser-printed certificate on heavy ivory paper showing your inscription on a red-colored brick background.
Blawnox looking to start a Shade Tree Commission
Blawnox is seeking volunteers to form a Shade Tree Commission, as well serve as as Tree Tenderers.
A Shade Tree Commission consists of residents who plan, plant, maintain and protect the community’s public trees. They work to ensure healthy tree canopy, species diversity and proper stewardship.
A Tree Tenderer, a trained volunteer within the Shade Tree Commission, who is involved in the hands-on care\, such as watering, mulching and inspecting and reporting on the health of trees.
Anyone interested in serving should contact the borough at 412-828-4141 or stop in the office at 376 Freeport Road.
Registration underway for summer camps at Camp Guyasuta
Camp Guyasuta is offering a weeklong co-ed STEM Adventure Day Camp throughout June and July for children ages 6 to 14.
The camp is held in a “drop-off” format, with early arrival and late pickup available. This arrangement allows youth of working parents the ability to attend an adventure of a lifetime while not disrupting work schedules.
Registration currently is underway and will close once 180 campers have signed up for each age group, 6-10 and 11-14, per week. The first week starts June 1 and the last week begins July 27.
The cost is $300 per camper for the 6-10 group and $350 for those 11-14.
Activities include archery, target and range sports, ropes courses, gaga ball, human foosball, creek hikes and swimming.
For details about the camp and to register, visit campguyasuta.org/day-camp.
For questions about participation or exclusion from an activity, call 412-782-2669.
To request to be with a friend, email Kim Daniher at kim.daniher@scouting.org as soon as both campers are registered. The camp tries to accommodate friend requests, but it is not guaranteed. Once groups are filled, however, friend requests will not be accepted.
Free webinar to provide training in suicide prevention
Penn State Extension offers a free webinar aimed at saving lives and reducing suicidal behaviors.
Participants can select one of the upcoming dates: 1 to 3 p.m. Feb. 17, March 17 or April 21.
Penn State Extension educators will lead the webinar, “QPR Gatekeeper Suicide Prevention Training,” developed by the QPR Institute. QPR stands for Question, Persuade and Refer. Participants will learn to recognize the warning signs of suicide in friends, co-workers, family members or neighbors in need.
Designed for all people, regardless of profession, who are concerned about helping others, QPR is an emergency mental health intervention intended to interrupt a crisis and direct someone to proper care. Attendees will discuss potential scenarios and engage in active listening and persuasion techniques.
Penn State Extension offers the webinar free of charge, but participants must register by 11:59 p.m. the day before the event to receive the link to access it. The recording link will not be available after the webinar.
Continuing education credits are available. For details, visit Penn State Extension’s website at tinyurl.com/2suk85t2 or call 1-877-345-0691.
Series to explore management of garden pests
Penn State Extension is offering a webinar series on integrated pest management for home gardeners, Master Gardeners, commercial growers and anyone interested in sustainable pest control.
The series, titled “IPM Essentials: Tools, Tactics and Techniques,” will run from noon to 1:15 p.m. March 10, 17, 24 and 31.
It will teach sustainable and practical strategies for managing pest control across diverse settings, including:
• The basic principles of integrated pest management;
• How to scout and monitor pest populations;
• How to recognize signs and symptoms of common pests and locate reliable identification resources;
• How to apply integrated pest management strategies in real-world settings;
Pesticide applicator recertification credits are available for participants pending approval.
Space is limited, and registration is required by March 9. The cost for the series is $20.
Registration is required to receive the link to access the webinars. A link to the recorded webinars will be emailed to registrants within 10 business days after the live events.
For details, visit Penn State Extension’s website at tinyurl.com/ysddyd5x.