Thespians to stage ‘Once on This Island’
Penn Hills High School will present its spring musical, “Once on This Island,” at 7 p.m. April 9-11 and 2 p.m. April 12.
All shows will be held in the high school auditorium, 309 Collins Drive.
The musical, set in the Caribbean, is a retelling of Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale “The Little Mermaid.” A peasant girl, Ti Moune, falls in love with a wealthy boy, Daniel, and makes a deal with the island gods to save his life. The gods wager on the strength of their love versus death.
For more information and ticket details, visit the district’s website at phhs.phsd.org and follow it on Facebook.
Slate of events set this spring, summer
The Penn Hills Parks & Recreation Department has a variety of events scheduled for the spring and summer.
• Kids in the Kitchen:10 to 11 a.m. April 11 and May 9. Two sessions are planned at Rolling Hills Church, 120 Gernert Drive; registration is required by calling 412-798-2147.
• Kids Painting Class: 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. April 20 and May 18. Two sessions are planned at Rolling Hills Church; registration is required by calling 412-798-2147.
• Star Gazing Party: May 9 in Friendship Park, 1340 Hunter Road. Celestial Storytime will start at 8:20 p.m. followed by star gazing at 9. Sponsored by the Amateur Astronomer Association of Pittsburgh, Penn Hills Library and Penn Hills Parks & Recreation. To register, call the library at 412-775-4700.
• Memorial Day Parade:11:30 a.m. May 25. The parade will start at 111 Erhardt Drive and end with a memorial ceremony at noon at the Penn Hills Government Center, 102 Duff Road.
• Creekside Critters Nature Program: 10 a.m. to noon May 30, Penn Hills Community Park, 120 Colorado St. Search for bugs, insects and worms and learn the roles they play in nature. Registration is required by calling 412-798-2147.
• Family Trivia Night: 6 to 8 p.m. June 6, Rolling Hills Church. Test your knowledge of family-themed trivia. Prizes will be awarded for first, second and third place. A pizza dinner will be served. Registration is required by calling 412-798-2147.
• Movies in the Park: All movies begin at dusk. June 19: “Zootopia 2” in Penn Hills Community Park; July 17: “GOAT” in Friendship Park; Aug. 21: “Super Mario Galaxy Movie” in Penn Hills Community Park. Admission is free, and snacks will be served.
Feedback sought on ‘refreshing’ of bus routes
Pittsburgh Regional Transit is planning a pop-up event to gather feedback about a proposed “refreshing” of local bus routes from 3 to 6 p.m. April 9 at the bus stop on Frankstown Road at Duff Road.
Residents are encouraged to stop by, ask questions and share their input.
A tent will be set up. Maps, handouts and materials will be distributed to collect feedback from the public.
To learn more about PRT’s Bus Line Refresh, visit buslineredesign.com.
Church plans used book sale, bake sale
Faith Community Church at 501 Jefferson Road in Penn Hills is organizing a used book sale and bake sale in May.
The weekend event will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 16 and 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 17.
The cost is $8 per bag of books, and bags will be provided.
All proceeds will support the church’s Angel Tree recipients.
Crescent Hills group gearing up for annual plant sale
The Crescent Hills Civic Association is hosting its annual Community Plant Sale from 10 a.m. to noon May 23 in Crescent Hills Park, 141 Sycamore Drive.
The sale raises money for park improvements and programs in the neighborhood.
Check crescenthills.org and visit Crescent Hills Civic Association on social media for preorder information when available. Pickup of preorders will be held on the sale date in the park.
A variety of annuals will be offered. A limited selection of herbs, vegetables, bulbs and perennials grown by a Crescent Hills resident also will be available.
Penn Hills seeks full-time director of communications
Penn Hills is looking to hire a full-time director of communications.
The position will be responsible for the development, coordination and execution of all public messaging, media relations, crisis communications community engagement strategy, digital content operations, attends public meetings, as necessary, serves as the official spokesperson/Public Information Officer, as necessary; completes and presents special projects, and other duties, as assigned by the municipal manager or police chief.
Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree — a master’s is preferred — in one or more of the following areas: journalism, communications, public relations, media studies or a closely related field. Applicants also must have a minimum of eight years of progressive responsibility/experience in government public information or public affairs leadership, senior media or news anchor experience in a major or mid-market television newsroom, public sector communications management, administrative-level crisis communications, agency or firm based strategic communications leadership.
Technical proficiency requirements include: FOIA or public records coordination experience, Adobe Premiere or comparable video editing platform and social media platform management, including Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok, YouTube and LinkedIn, Microsoft Office and Google Suite.
For additional requirements, visit pennhillspa.gov/employment.
Applications should be emailed to administration@pennhillspa.gov or mailed to Municipality of Penn hills, Attn: Administrative Office, 103 Duff Road, Penn Hills, PA 15235. No phone calls will be taken.
Applications will be accepted until the close of business, 4:30 p.m., on April 15.
Class of 1976 to celebrate 50th reunion June 6
Penn Hills Class of 1976 will host its 50th class reunion at 6 to 11 p.m. June 6 at The Westin Pittsburgh, Downtown.
Space is limited; tickets are $95.
Westin rooms are available at a special group rate for Friday and/or Saturday night.
The event will include a DJ, heavy appetizers and a cash bar. Additional activities include a golf outing, Friday night parties and goodbye fun on Sunday.
Details about the reunion are available on the “Penn Hills High School Class of 1976” Facebook page or via email at pennhillsclass1976@gmail.com.
Class of 1966 to celebrate 60 years with meet-ups
The Penn Hills Class of 1966 is hosting its 60th class reunion for two evenings at the Edgewood Country Club, 100 Churchill Road, Churchill.
The festivities will take place from 6 to 10 p.m. Wednesday, June 10, with hor d’ouvres and 6 to 10 p.m. Thursday, June 11, with a plated dinner.
Tickets are $80 per person for both nights. Ticket sales will end May 15.
For additional information, email the reunion committee at phhs60threunion@gmail.com.
Plum AARP to gather April 14, May 12
Plum AARP will hold its next meeting at noon April 14 in the American Legion Post 980, 7824 Saltsburg Road, Plum.
Its May meeting will be the annual Spring Luncheon, set for 11:30 a.m. May 12 at Palmieri’s Restaurant in Plum.
April’s meeting will have no entertainment. The program is to bring and play games at the meeting. Two slices of pizza will be served for $4, plus the usual free cake and coffee and tea.
For the Spring Luncheon in May, the entertainment will be Chris Denem, who will sing Neil Diamond and Johnny Cash songs. Tickets cost $30.
Plum AARP is a social/service organization open to residents of Penn Hills, Plum, Monroeville and the surrounding communities. Almost every meeting features either entertainment or a speaker. AARP hosts a Christmas party, a May luncheon and an August social, as well as two hot dog/condiments/chips luncheons for $3. The group also offers the opportunity to book one-day or multiple-days trips, presented every month by a representative from Thomas Tours. All this is offered for dues of only $15 per year.
Newcomers are welcome to come to a regular meeting, which is always held at noon at the American Legion on the second Tuesday of each month, except June.
For details, call Mary Lou Spohn-Meyers at 724-327-8265.
Catholic Charities providing free dental care
Catholic Charities is hosting free dental care to adults 18 and older at its free health care center from 9 to 11 a.m. Mondays through Fridays through April 18.
The center is located at 111 Boulevard of the Allies in Downtown Pittsburgh.
No appointments are necessary. The free services will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis.
Dental exams provided include oral cancer screenings, abscess checks and dental disease evaluations.
Care planning will be offered to connect participants to follow-up care and treatment, if needed.
Participants can expect friendly staff and student providers, a respectful and no-judgment environment, and a chance to improve one’s health and smile.
For details, call the health care center 412-456-6911 or visit ccpgh.org/services/free-health-care-center.
Trivia Night to raise money for Peace Pole in school district
The Penn Hills Rotary is hosting its first Trivia Night from 6 to 9 p.m. April 10 at the American Legion, 7824 Saltsburg Road, Plum.
Doors will open at 6 p.m., followed by games at 7.
The cost is $25 per person or $200 for a table of eight by March 20. After that date, the cost increases to $30 per person and $250 per table of eight.
A light meal and bottled water is included with the ticket price. Alcohol and other beverages will be available to purchase from the American Legion.
There also will be themed baskets and a 50-50 raffle.
All proceeds will support the purchase of a Rotary Peace Pole for Penn Hills School District students.
Indoor flea market to benefit nonprofit
The Riverview Community Action Corporation is hosting an indoor flea market from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 18 at the center, 501 Second St., Oakmont.
Credit cards will be accepted, and all proceeds benefit the center.
There will be something for everyone.
The Riverview Community Action Corporation is a nonprofit agency whose mission is to promote community involvement, pride and awareness through services and programs to enhance the quality of life of the residents of Oakmont, Verona and the surrounding communities.
Taste of Two Towns returns at Oakmont library
A Taste of Two Towns once again will transform the Oakmont Carnegie Library into a vibrant, buzzing bistro of sorts.
The 13th annual tasting and sipping event will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday, May 3, at the library, 700 Allegheny River Blvd. in Oakmont. The event is for people 21 and older.
This year’s celebration features a mix of sweet and savory bites and drinks from restaurants and breweries in Oakmont and Verona.
Tickets cost $75 and are available at the library or online at oakmontlibrary.org (click “Reserve Your Spot”). Tickets are nonrefundable and will not be mailed; reservations will be held at the door.
All proceeds benefit the Oakmont Carnegie Library.
For details, call the library at 412-828-9532 or visit oakmontlibrary.org.
Upcoming meetings
Upcoming municipal and school district meetings include:
• Council: 7 p.m. April 13 nonvoting meeting and April 20 voting meeting in Council Chambers at the government center, 102 Duff Road (first and third Mondays of every month);
• Zoning Hearing Board: 7 p.m. April 22 in Council Chambers (fourth Wednesday of each month);
• Planning Commission: 7:30 p.m. April 23 in Council Chambers (fourth Thursday of each month);
• Library Board: 7 p.m. April 29 at Penn Hills Library, 1037 Stotler Road (last Wednesday of each month);
• Penn Hills School Board: 6 p.m. April 29 (regular public voting meeting) in the Sen. Jay Costa Media Center at Linton Middle School, 260 Aster St. (last Wednesday of each month)
To check for cancellations, agendas or other changes to the municipal meeting schedule, scroll down to the bulletin board section of Penn Hills’ homepage at pennhillspa.gov or sign up for Savvy Citizen alerts. A hard copy of the township agenda also is available at the Penn Hills Library.
To sign up for Savvy Citizen alerts, visit savvycitizenapp.com/signup or download the app on your mobile phone.
Municipal, school district meetings viewable online
Want to stay informed about the municipality and school district you live in and the decisions made by people you elect to office?
Both entities livestream their meetings online.
• Penn Hills Council livestreams its monthly meetings on YouTube @PennHills TVONLINE. Past livestreams of meetings also are available to view. Check them out at youtube.com/@PennHillsTVONLINE/featured.
• The Penn Hills School District livestreams its monthly school board meetings on its website at https://www.phsd.org/our-district/school-board/live-stream-and-video-archive. Past meetings also are available. Among the videos are the school board’s regular public voting meetings, HR/Policy and Finance Committee meetings, and Athletic Advisory, Safety/Buildings & Grounds and Curriculum Committee meetings.
Group offers support for weight loss
All are welcome to join the men and women at Oakmont TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) who are learning how to lose weight.
With in-person meetings, rewards, support and encouragement, we gain knowledge of healthy eating and exercise.
You may visit with no obligation Tuesdays at 5:45 p.m. at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 1261 Pennsylvania Ave. in Oakmont. Weigh-in is private followed by a brief business meeting, sharing time, and educational program all ending by 7:15.
There is well-lit parking, wheelchair accessibility and security.
For details, call 412-828-3854 or email jmjkwj@gmail.com.
Course available to drivers 55 and older
Seniors for Safe Driving is offering an upcoming course for motorists 55 and older from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. June 23 at the Penn Hills Senior Center, 147 Jefferson Road.
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 SeniorsForSafeDriving.com.
Free clothing available
Mt. Hope Community Church, 12106 Frankstown Road, operates a free Clothesline to people in need from 10 a.m. to noon every Thursday.
Parking is available behind the church, and there is a bus stop nearby at Frankstown Road and Parkridge Drive.
Clothing for women, men and children of all ages is available, as well as some shoes and accessories.
Bags are provided, but visitors also are encouraged to bring their own.
The church also is accepting and loaning gently used children’s books.
For details, call 412-793-0227 or visit mthopepcusa.org/youth-ministries.
To have your news or event listed, email editor Marje Horvath at mhorvath@triblive.com.