In brief: Preschool enrollment underway, Cub Scout kick off and more in Fox Chapel area

New lights

Fox Chapel is replacing the traffic lights at the intersection of Fox Chapel and Field Club roads this month.

Public works director Larry Kurpakus said it will be an updated system with LED signals, decorative mast arms and new controllers.

Preschool enrolling

The Fox Chapel Area High School preschool program is accepting enrollment for the fall 2025 semester. Preschool class will be held Monday-Thursday from 8:15-10:45 a.m. beginning Sept. 3. The class will be held at Fox Chapel Area High School and the cost will be $100 for the semester. The program is staffed by Fox Chapel Area High School teacher Jennifer Antonikas, along with high school students who are studying child development.

A full program of art, science, language arts and math will be presented to the children through lessons and activities taught by the high school students. The preschoolers will also have snack time, story circle time and a large muscle activity each day. Preschoolers will engage in activities that will get them used to the structure of the school day, as well as begin to prepare them for kindergarten. Additionally, each child will receive a memory book as a final project from the high school students. The memory book will contain the work and artwork that the preschoolers have created through the semester and photos of the students participating in those activities.

To request an application or to ask any questions, please email jennifer_antonikas@fcasd.edu, or call 412-967-2400, voice mail number 1883.

Cub Scout kick off

Join Cub Scout Pack 625 for our fall kick-off event, a Rain Gugger Regatta, at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 2.

Cub Scout Pack 625 is an active troop in Indiana Township that welcomes all families with boys and girls in kindergarten through fifth grade. We would love for your family to become part of our community, get your kids outdoors and active, and build confidence, skills, and friendships.

The Rain Gutter Regatta at Dorseyville Alliance Church (no church affiliation required) will allow kids to build and race their own boat while adults listen to a short information session on Cub Scouts.

Email questions to pack625indianatownship@gmail.com.

Park project update

A major renovation project at Fox Chapel’s McCahill Park is nearly complete.

Public works director Larry Kurpakus said most of the work is done and only reseeding and shrubbery plantings remain. Its new playing surfaces were put in use last month.

Council in August 2024 voted to spend $820,000 to repurpose the basketball court to four pickleball courts, renovate the baseball backstop closest to the playground and remove the one furthest away, usually used for tee ball. That field was turned into a stormwater detention pond and wetlands.

Cost was paid for in part by grants from the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and Department of Community & Economic Development.

Cornhole tournament

The Pittsburgh North Optimist Foundation’s 2025 cornhole tournament fundraiser will be happening on Sept. 7 at Allegheny RiverTrail Park from noon to 4 p.m. They are looking to register 32 teams to compete for prizes and help to raise money for various local youth programs and causes. Registration fee is $40 per person and $80 per team of two. There will be adult and non-alcoholic beverages and a food truck on hand, as well as the Steelers-Jets game on a projection screen at 1 p.m. Register at pittsburghoptimist.com/2024-cornhole-tournament.

Fox Chapel Police Department events

The Fox Chapel Police Department is bringing back Touch-A-Truck for its third year. The family-friendly event is planned for 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Sept. 27 at the Fox Chapel Borough Building. The first hour of Touch-A-Truck will be sensory-friendly for children who need a quieter but equally enjoyable experience. During this time, honking horns, flashing lights, blaring sirens, or loud sounds will not be permitted. FCPD will be collecting monetary and non-perishable food donations for the Blawnox Community Food Pantry in lieu of an admission fee.

This event offers children of all ages — and those young at heart —t he chance to explore various vehicles, including fire trucks, police cruisers, plow trucks and more. Attendees are encouraged to get an up-close look at the equipment used in the community, learn about their functions, and meet the people who operate them. Touch-A-Truck will also feature a live demonstration by the FCVFD at 12:30 p.m.

Additionally, FCPD will recognize its second K9 Officer for a Day from Animal Protectors of Allegheny Valley. Magisterial District Judge Matthew Rudzki will administer the oath of office to the designated pooch at noon. Community members can meet the K9 Officer, take photos and learn about the benefits of pet adoption. Representatives from Animal Protectors of Allegheny Valley will be on-site to answer questions and showcase some more of their adoptable animals.

For more information, visit fox-chapel.pa.us.

Equipment purchase approved

Fox Chapel council voted Aug. 18 to approve the purchase of a new 2025 towmaster T-20LP trailer from Cleveland Brothers Equipment Company.

Cost was $32,476 for the heavy equipment transport for the borough’s public works department.

The contract was through COSTARS, the state Department of General Services’ cooperative purchasing program designed to help municipalities and other government entities save money when buying supplies and services.

Board appointment made

Fox Chapel council on Aug. 18 appointed David Weisbord to a two-year term on the Community Library Association Board.

46th annual Pow Wow

The Council of Three Rivers American Indian Center is holding its 46th annual Pow Wow Sept. 27-28 at its center, located at 120 Charles St. in Indiana Twp. The event will include Native American singing, dancing, drumming, arts and crafts and native foods. No alcohol or pets are permitted. Donation is $6 for adults and $4 for children under 12 and elders.

For more information, visit cotraic.org or call 412-782-4457.

Golf outing

The Wayne Fusaro Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund’s 24th annual golf outing is set for Sept. 20 at River Forest Country Club. Cost is $150 per golfer or $35 for dinner only. Check-in is at noon. For more information, call Jill Fusaro at 412-848-7799 or email jillfusaro@verizon.net.

Preschool openings

Good Shepherd Preschool has some openings in its 2’s and 3’s program for fall 2025. Call 412-963-9494 ext. 304 or visit gslcfc.org/preschool for more information.

Aspinwall History Walking Tour

Learn about the historic architecture, founding families and history of how Aspinwall developed — including two secret gardens — on Sept. 7 and 14 during the Aspinwall History Walking Tour. Meet at Aspinwall’s Beans ’n’ Cream at 16 Brilliant Ave. at 2 p.m. Cost is $25 in advance or $30 the day of the tour, and $10 for children ages 4-12. Proceeds benefit Aspinwall Community Organizations. For more information or reservations, email terryntaylor@verizon.net.

GriefShare

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 is offered weekly from 9:30-11:30 a.m. Thursdays starting Sept. 11 and running through Dec. 11 at Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church, 384 Fox Chapel Road.

For details or questions, contact Gail Harger: gailharger@verizon.net or visit Griefshare.org/findagroup to register directly.

Deluzio accepting applications for U.S. service academy nominations

Congressman Chris Deluzio, D-Fox Chapel, recently announced that his office is accepting nomination applications from eligible young Western Pennsylvanians to attend a U.S. service academy.

A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Deluzio now has the honor as a congressman to nominate students in District 17 to attend the nation’s prestigious service academies.

“I was in my senior year of high school on 9/11, and it was a motivating factor for me deciding to serve the country. I applied to and ended up attending the U.S. Naval Academy — it was one of the best decisions I ever made,” Deluzio said. “Now, I’m honored to nominate the next class of future military leaders. I encourage any patriotic young person interested in military service to apply to a service academy.”

Applicants can access the nomination application on Deluzio’s website at deluzio.house.gov/services/service-academy-nominations. Additional details, including eligibility criteria, also can be found on the website.

The deadline to apply is 5 p.m. Sept. 30.

The U.S. service academies are the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md.; U.S. Military Academy in West Point, N.Y.; U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado; U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, N.Y.; and U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, Conn.

The U.S. Coast Guard Academy does not require a congressional nomination.

Foxwall EMS subscription open

Foxwall EMS subscription drive continues.

It is available to residents and businesses in Fox Chapel and Aspinwall.

Rates are $100 for an individual, $125 for a family, $70 for individual seniors ages 65 and older.

Business subscription rates are $200 for businesses with 1-10 employees, $300 for businesses with 11-49 employees and $500 for businesses with 50 or more employees.

Subscriptions ensure no out-of-pocket expenses for emergency ambulance service provided by Foxwall EMS. They are tax-deductible and valid through April 30.

EMS officials said approximately $100,000 was raised in last year’s subscription drive with an additional $25,000 in donations received from the drive, yet less than a quarter of the residents and businesses subscribed in 2024.

People can sign up online at foxwall.org/ support/subscriptions or call 412-963-6611 for more information.

Foxwall EMS answered 1,073 emergency calls to 9-1-1 in 2024 with an average response time of 8 minutes, well below the national average of 12 minutes.

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.

TOPS meetings

Take Off Pounds Sensibly meets each Tuesday evening at 6 p.m. for an interactive program focused on weight loss, healthy eating and wellness at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 1261 Pennsylvania Ave., Oakmont.

Visitors are welcome to attend their first TOPS meeting for free. 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, handicap accessibility and security.

Call 412-828-3854 for more information or email jmjkwj@gmail.com.

Family House Polo Match

Family House will host the 42nd Annual Polo Match presented by F.N.B. on Sept. 6 at Hartwood Acres.

The annual Family House Polo Match has been a signature fundraiser where family, friends, donors, and sponsors all come together to support Family House’s mission: providing a “home away from home” for patients and caregivers traveling to Pittsburgh for medical care.

The family-friendly, community event features a silent auction, a vintage car parade presented by Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix, boutique shopping experiences, a variety of food vendors, a VIP tailgating experience, live music, and more before the polo match kicks off.

Gates open at 10 a.m. with pre-match festivities beginning at 11 a.m. The opening ceremony starts at 1 p.m., with the match kicking off at 1:30 p.m. The match features returning polo teams: Howard Hanna Real Estate Services Pittsburgh Polo Club versus the #1 Cochran Potomac Polo Club.

Guests are encouraged to take part in touts, enjoy live music, and visit The Children’s Tent, sponsored by Family & Friends of Gayland Cook, former Family House board member and advocate, where children can make crafts, take a pony ride, and much more.

During the UPMC Health Plan Half-Time, everyone is invited onto the UPMC Field to “stomp the divots” to the tune of Roy Orbison’s “Pretty Woman.” Guests are welcome to show off their festive Polo attire and have a commemorative photo taken at the UPMC Health Plan photo booth. The awards ceremony closes the Polo Match, highlighted by the presentation of the Baird Best Playing Pony Award.

Tickets are on sale now at familyhouse.org/polo. As always, children 12 and under attend free.

Harvest Fair

Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church is holding its Harvest Fair 5-9 p.m. Sept. 5 and 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Sept. 6. Items for sale include clothing, linens, furniture, housewares, toys, baked goods, baby items, tools and more. All proceeds benefit local charities. Please bring canned good donations to support local food pantries.

For more information, call 412-963-8243.

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