In brief: New library partnership, paranormal fundraiser and more in Sharpsburg area

Cooper-Siegel partners with PSO

Cooper-Siegel Community Library has officially signed on as partners of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra’s 2025-26 Fiddlesticks Musical Exploration Series.

The series, held at Heinz Hall, includes three family-friendly concerts designed to introduce children ages 3 to 8 to a lifelong love of music. Generations of families have enjoyed Fiddlesticks’ imaginative musical adventures since their 1991 inception.

PSO’s Learning and Engagement Team worked with CSCL’s parent organization, the Allegheny County Library Association, to select the library’s Youth Services Department to facilitate attendees’ pre-concert Story Room experiences.

Youth Services Department Head Megan Fogt said she and Teen Librarian Finn Gelsimino are “thrilled” to join the PSO for its first Fiddlesticks show of the season on Nov. 1.

“We love sharing stories with our community and partnering with the PSO’s Fiddlesticks concerts is a fantastic opportunity to highlight how libraries support lifelong learning throughout our county,” Fogt said.

The Fiddlesticks Musical Exploration Series is named after its star — a seven-foot-tall, cuddly, musical cat who loves meeting his fans after every performance. In addition to CSCL’s storytime, other pre-concert activities include a singalong with guest vocalist Katy Williams; instrument discovery with PSO musicians; music-inspired crafts; a dance party; and more.

Pre-show activities start at 10 a.m., and sensory-friendly accommodations are available for all Fiddlesticks experiences. This season’s shows start at 11:15 a.m. and include:

• Nov. 1 – Festival of Music.

• Feb. 28 – American Tunes.

• April 18 – Sing, Dance, Play!

For more information about or to purchase tickets visit pittsburghsymphony.org.

All Souls Vespers service

Christ the King Parish is offering an All Souls Choral Vespers Service with Benediction at Saint Mary Church, 210 Garnier St. in Sharpsburg, on Nov. 2, at 3 p.m. The combined parish choir and instrumental ensemble will perform the music of John Rutter with excerpts from the Rutter Requiem, along with traditional hymns commemorating the souls of the faithful departed.

Trick or treat

Here are the trick-or-treat times for Fox Chapel area communities on Oct. 31:

• Aspinwall, 6-7:30 p.m.

• O’Hara, 6-8 p.m.

• Fox Chapel, 6-8 p.m.

• Indiana Township, 6-8 p.m.

• Blawnox, 6-8 p.m.

• Sharpsburg, 6-8 p.m.

Paranormal fundraiser

Sharpsburg Community Library’s next fundraiser invites patrons to enjoy a frighteningly good evening at several haunted hotspots.

On Nov. 1, the library will partner with Bump in the Night Society, a Pittsburgh-based paranormal investigation group, to host the inaugural Haunted Sharpsburg Paranormal Experience. From 7 to 10 p.m., attendees will learn the ins and outs of ghost hunting and conduct their own investigations of the library and the nearby Linden Gym.

“Halloween is my absolute favorite time of the year. Our development manager Nadine Ostrowski and I discussed doing a fundraiser in the fall, so I knew anything I planned would fit into spooky season,” said SCL Branch Manager Sara Mariacher. “Earlier this year, Bump in the Night Society was the (Steel City Horror Show) guest, so I pitched the idea of a paranormal investigation.”

Thankfully, Mariacher said, Bump in the Night Society Lead Investigator Sean Bowman was excited to help SCL through a special event.

Mariacher also contacted the Sharpsburg Historical Commission, who connected her with Linden Gym Director Greg Domian. The gym is said to be haunted by the ghost of a girl named Hanna.

The Haunted Sharpsburg Paranormal Experience is open to adults ages 18 and older, or teens ages 16 and older with a participating adult. Tickets are $25 per person. All proceeds benefit the library.

Participants will be required to sign waivers and should wear comfortable walking shoes and clothes they can easily move around in, as the group will be walking between investigation sites at night.

To register for the fundraiser, visit coopersiegelcommunitylibrary.org or call 412-828-9520.

Tree planting

Sharpsburg Neighborhood Organization and the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy have partnered for a tree planting event Nov. 1. Volunteers are needed for the event from 9 a.m. to noon.

Activities start at RedHawk Coffee, 1019 N. Canal St. More information is available on the SNO Facebook page.

Leaf collection

Fall leaf collection in O’Hara runs through Dec. 1.

Residents are reminded to rake their leaves within four feet of the curb, but not on the street. No other debris may be mixed in with the leaves. Township officials said leaves left in the street can create a safety hazard, especially if it rains or snows.

Call the township office at 412-784-1784, ext. 203 with any questions or comments regarding the leaf collection program.

Flea market

Sharpsburg’s community flea market is set for 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Sunday, June through October, along North Canal Street at Guyasuta Square.

Discover vintage treasures, handmade crafts and great deals from local vendors.

Call Chas Smith at 412-927-9221 for more information.

Indiana Township leaf collection

Indiana Township’s leaf collection program began the week of Oct. 27 and ends the week of Nov. 24.

Officials said leaves must be in biodegradable bags and placed curbside. They will be picked up sometime during the week. Monday pickups are not guaranteed.

Plastic bags will not be picked up. The program also does not include other debris, such as grass clippings, brush, etc.

Collected bags are transported to a composting site in the North Hills.

Public works crews will pick up the topsoil generated from the compost site in the spring and use it throughout the township.

Residents living along private roads can plan leaf collection by calling public works at 412-767-5333, ext. 319.

To have your news or event listed in our briefs section, email editor Katie Green at kgreen@triblive.com.