Bataan Memorial March
The Norwin Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps will hold its 14th annual, 14-mile Bataan Memorial March along the Westmoreland Heritage Trail on April 25.
The race begins at 9 a.m. at the B-Y Park trailhead in Trafford, with a rest and water station 7 miles from the trailhead. Race day registration begins at 8 a.m. at the trailhead.
Those who want to preregister by April 3 can visit afjrotcbataan26.itemorder.com/shop/home/ for T-shirts to be available for the day of the race.
The Bataan Memorial March is conducted in memory of the American and Filipino soldiers in the Philippines during World War II who were forced to march about 65 miles to a prisoner of war camp after surrendering to the Japanese Army in April 1942. Hundreds of American prisoners and thousands of Filipino prisoners were beaten and killed along the march by their Japanese captors.
The proceeds from the event will be used to support All American Rucks, a cause that means a lot to the cadet corps, said Megan Evanuik, Norwin Air Force Junior ROTC president. All American Rucks coordinates the annual “Staff Sgt. Kyle McKee Memorial Ruck” in honor of one of the cadets’ fathers, who was killed in action while serving in Egypt in 2020. All American Rucks’ mission is to honor veterans, first responders and community members who make an impact and inspire each other to achieve new heights, Evanuik said.
The race, walk and biking event is free to the Norwin Air Force Junior ROTC cadets and other invited schools with Junior ROTC programs. A commemorative T-shirt is $15. The cost for entrants is $25 and includes the T-shirt ($10 for registration and $15 for the T-shirt). The registration fee is donated to All American Rucks.
A limited number of T-shirts will be available on the day of the event along with a registration form.
Norwin Art League workshops set
The Norwin Art League is hosting workshops for participants to make suncatchers and floral arrangements and to paint watercolors.
The workshop for making diamond suncatchers will be held from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. April 11 at the art league offices at 306 Main St., Irwin.
Materials are included in the $30 cost. The deadline for the required prepayment and registration at norwinartleague.com is April 6.
A workshop to teach participants how to make a wood floral arrangement with pre-colored wood flowers in a teacup and either a 4-by-4-inch or a 12-by-3-inch wood box will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. April 18 at the art league.
The cost is $38, $43 or $55, depending on the arrangement container selected. There is an additional $5 charge for those who are not members of the art league.
Registration and prepayment are required at norwinartleague.com. The registration deadline is April 4. For more information, call 412-726-9783.
An intuitive painting watercolor workshop, which will be an abstract exploration of one’s inner landscape, is planned for 1 to 3 p.m. April 25 at the art league.
No experience is necessary.
Materials are included in the $40 cost for art league members and $45 for nonmembers.
Prepayment and registration are required at norwinartleague.com. The deadline is April 20.
For more information, contact christinajduran.com.
Sage’s Army to celebrate anniversary
Sage’s Army, a substance abuse prevention and recovery organization, will celebrate its 14th anniversary at 1 p.m. April 16 at its Hempfield office at 6044 Route 30.
Guest speakers will begin at 3:30 p.m.
There will be free food, music, raffle baskets and giveaways.
Those interested in attending are asked to RSVP at 724-467-2420.
Norwin band bingo fundraiser
The Norwin Band Aides, the booster group to the Norwin band, will hold a bingo fundraiser beginning at 1 p.m. April 19 at the Circleville Fire Hall, 129 Robbins Station Rd., North Huntingdon.
The cost is $40 per ticket and includes 10 games and a $1,500 jackpot. The ticket price includes a buffet lunch and one soft drink coupon.
Additional bingo cards will be available for purchase.
Anyone attending under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Doors open at 11:30 a.m.
There will also be games of chance and a basket raffle.
The proceeds from the fundraiser will go toward supporting the activities of the band and color guard. The Band Aides typically raise money through sales at the concession stands at home football games and band festivals, but the stadium renovation project will prevent Norwin from using the stadium this fall.
For more information, send an email to norwinbandbingo@gmail.com (or preferred address). For tickets, contact Debbie Washowich at 412-334-7264.
Recovery meeting April 11
A special substance abuse recovery meeting organized by representatives from Sage’s Army will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. April 11 at the organization’s Irwin headquarters, 216 Fourth St. Recovery meetings that are peer-supported, deaf-accessible and held at the community center will be held biweekly.
For more information, contact Jenn Macioce at jenn.macioce@gmail.com or jcochran18@gmail.com.
Homeowner repairs planned
The nonprofit Carpenter’s Apprentice, a group of volunteers from Norwin and Harrison City area churches who help make repairs to homes of residents in need, is planning a spring fix-up weekend May 15-17.
The organization is seeking volunteers to donate their time and talent toward projects for that weekend. It is also looking for community members, churches and pastors to refer homeowners in need.
Anyone referred to the organization for assistance will be contacted, and a site surveyor will be assigned to speak with the homeowner to determine their needs and decide if the project fits the volunteers’ capabilities. A financial needs assessment also will be conducted by the site surveyor.
Those living within 30 minutes of the Norwin School District — North Huntingdon, Irwin and North Irwin — are eligible to be considered for a home repair.
The Carpenter’s Apprentice was created in 2008 to provide essential repairs to homes to ensure residents can live in a safe and secure environment.
Those who want to volunteer, apply for assistance or refer someone in need can visit the organization’s website at thecarpentersapprentice.org/ .
Norwin Senior Softball league sign-ups
The Norwin Senior Softball league is seeking players age 55 and older for its season, which runs Wednesday mornings from mid-April through September.
Registration will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. April 9 and 10 at the Norwin Police Athletic League fields off Bridge Street in North Huntingdon. The $25 registration fee includes team placement and a T-shirt.
Registrants are encouraged to make a voluntary cash donation to the Westmoreland County Food Bank during sign-ups. For more information, contact Mark Cacese at 412-678-2286, Jack Boylan at 724-219-9260 or Bob Popovich at 724-864-5095.
Safe driving course available
Seniors for Safe Driving is offering three upcoming courses for motorists 55 and older in the North Huntingdon, Murrysville and Penn Township areas.
One course is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on April 30 at the Murrysville Senior Center, 3091 Carson Ave. Another session will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on May 26 at the Penn Township Municipal Building, 2001 Municipal Court, Harrison City.
The PennDOT-approved course is an opportunity for older motorists to refresh their driving skills and their knowledge of the rules of the road.
There is no testing or behind-the-wheel driving. Participants who complete the course can receive a three-year discount of no less that 5% on their auto insurance.
Course highlights include one’s health and driving performance; effects of medication and alcohol on driving; yielding and intersections; strategies for safe passing and managing one’s speed; keeping up with vehicle technology; preventive ways to reduce driver distractions; proper use of safety belts, air bags and anti-lock brakes; defensive driving tactics and sharing the road; dealing with aggressive drivers and road rage situations; and the latest information on traffic laws and regulations.
The cost is $17.
To register for a class, call 800-559-4880 or 724-283-0245 or go online at Seniors ForSafeDriving.com.
Norwin softball fundraiser
The Norwin Lady Knights softball team is hosting an “Egg My Yard” fundraiser. Players will decorate the yards of Norwin School District residents on Easter morning by hiding treat-filled plastic eggs.
Pricing is as follows:
• 25 eggs: $25
• 50 eggs: $45
• 75 eggs: $60
• 100 eggs: $75
The deadline to order is April 3. The team is also accepting donations of plastic eggs, non-chocolate candy and cash.
To order, text 412-996-0880. For more information, email boosters@norwinsoftball.com with your name, address, phone number and the number of eggs requested.
Norwin Art League scholarship available
The Norwin Art League is accepting applications for its annual $1,000 scholarship, which is being presented this year in honor of Albert Froeschl to recognize his longtime support of the organization.
The scholarship is open to local high school students who plan to attend college and major in either a visual arts field or in art education with a focus on the visual arts.
Prospective applicants can obtain the necessary forms and a full list of requirements by visiting the Norwin Art League studio, 306 Main St., Irwin.
Information and application materials also are available by contacting Mary Lou Hall via email at ml.mace@yahoo.com. The deadline for all scholarship entries is April 20.
State police academy applications open
The Pennsylvania State Police is now accepting applications for its 2026 Law and Leadership Academy – Southwest Location. The application period runs through May 1.
The free program is designed for residents or students in Southwest Pennsylvania, ages 18 and older, who have a high school diploma or GED and are seeking a career in law enforcement. Modeled after professional police academies, the curriculum includes instruction on criminal investigations, traffic laws and police resources, alongside paramilitary training in physical fitness, swimming and marching.
The academy runs from May 11 through Aug. 5. Classes are held:
• Mondays: 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Wednesdays: 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.
• Saturdays: Two dates (tentative)
The program aims to foster self-discipline and teamwork while giving participants a firsthand look at the cadet experience.
Interested applicants can obtain an application by contacting the Southwest Program Coordinator, Trooper Tristan T. Fay, at tfay@pa.gov, or by visiting www.PATROOPER.com. More information is available on the PSP website.
Association of University People accepting members
The Association of University People invites potential new members to join them at an event.
The association welcomes singles 50 and older, who are four-year college graduates, to join them for activities and to meet new people. Activities include picnics, monthly dinners, a book group and meetups at local concerts and wineries.
For more, call 412-353-9088 or email AUPsingles@gmail.com.