In brief: Happenings from the North Allegheny area

Open house meeting set on parks plan

As a part of McCandless’ ongoing Comprehensive Parks Master Plan process, an open house/public meeting is planned from 6 to 7:30 p.m. June 19 at the Devlin Pavilion, which is behind Town Hall.

Residents are encouraged to share their ideas and vision for the future of the town’s parks, trails and programs.

All ages are welcome, and light refreshments will be provided.

For details, contact Heather Cuyler at hcuyler@pashekmtr.com or 724-272-9144.

Singles invited to join Association of University People

The Association of University People invites singles 50 and older who are four-year college graduates to join them for activities and to meet new people. Activities include spring/summer picnics, monthly dinners, a book group, Scrabble, meeting up at wineries and local outdoor concerts.

Those interested can attend three activities as guests before joining.

For details about AUP or to become a member, call and leave a message at 412-353-9088 or email aupsingles@gmail.com.

Workshop to explore home food preservation

Penn State Extension is offering a workshop on Home Food Preservation: Introduction to Preserving from 6 to 7:30 p.m. June 5 at the North Park Rose Barn, 10280 Pearce Mill Road in McCandless.

In recent years, there has been increasing interest in home food preservation. Canning, freezing and drying are preservation methods that enable people to enjoy seasonal foods all year. While these home food preservation methods have existed for centuries, much has been learned in the past few years about the science behind these methods.

The 90-minute workshop will teach participants the fundamentals of home food preservation. Instructors will explain the scientific reasoning behind today’s recommended methods for home food preservation while dispelling food preservation myths and unsafe practices of the past.

Attendees will learn:

• The basics of using a pressure canner based on current USDA canning guidelines for canning low acid foods such as vegetables and meat.

• How a pressure canner works and canning safety.

• The basics of using a water bath or atmospheric steam canner for canning high acid foods such as fruits, tomatoes, pickles, salsa, jam and jelly

• The latest canning recommendations based on USDA canning guidelines including acidifying tomatoes and the use of salt and sugar.

• Best practices for ensuring quality frozen food, such as deactivation of enzymes through blanching.

• Best practices for drying foods safely and troubleshooting problems when drying foods.

This workshop costs $15. Space is limited and registration is required. The deadline to register online is June 1.

For details and to register, visit the Penn State Extension website at extension.psu.edu/introduction-to-preserving-workshop or call 877-345-0691.

McCandless looking to boost police force

The McCandless Police Department is seeking applicants for full-time police officers.

With recent and upcoming retirements, town officials are looking to ensure residents and businesses in the growing community are protected.

The town is patrolled 24/7 and is divided into several patrol districts, served by 12 marked patrol units. These units provide preventive patrols, respond to residents’ complaints and respond to requests for aid and traffic law enforcement. The police department also provides a number of community-oriented programs throughout the year.

Officers have 12-hour shifts, paid time off, a competitive insurance package, $1,300 uniform allowance, three-year DROP plan, and full retirement at age 50 with 25 years of service. Officers also have opportunities for career advancement in firearms instruction, K-9, detective division, defense tactics, accident reconstruction, traffic division, SRT team and community relations.

For a complete list of requirements and an application, visit townofmccandless.org.

The deadline to apply is at 4 p.m. June 23.

Applications can be returned from 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays at the police department in Town Hall, 9955 Grubbs Road. Applications also can be emailed to policeapplicant@townofmccandless.org.

Junior councilperson sought in McCandless

McCandless officials are looking for incoming juniors and seniors who reside in the town to serve as a 2025-26 junior councilperson.

As a junior councilperson, you will attend monthly council meetings and compose a monthly written report to council advising them of issues affecting local students and providing your perspective of current local issues. In addition, you can select a focus area, work collaboratively with the town on projects, assist town staff with information gathering and social media, foster greater involvement in government by students and even collaborate with junior councilmembers from local municipalities.

The junior councilperson will serve a term coinciding largely with the school year — September/October through June. A full list of qualifications and requirements is available online at townofmccandless.org/286/Junior-Councilperson-Program.

To apply, complete the online application, which is in a fillable PDF format, and email it to administration@townofmccandless.org or mail or hand-deliver it to Town of McCandless, 9955 Grubbs Road, McCandless, PA 15090.

The deadline to apply is at 4 p.m. June 6.

Discounted tickets for area parks available

Summer park discount tickets are available at the Franklin Park Municipal Building, 2344 W. Ingomar Road.

The tickets can be purchased by cash, check or credit card. Good-any-day tickets are available for Idlewild, $40; Kennywood, $43; Sandcastle, $35; and Waldameer Park in Erie, $42.

For questions, call the office at 412-364-4115.

Festival at St. Ursula set May 26-31

Our Lady of Pepetual Help is holding its 2025 Festival at St. Ursula, 3945 Kirk Ave. in Hampton, starting at 6:30 p.m. nightly from May 26-31.

There will be games, rides, raffles, food and entertainment.

The rides include a Ferris wheel, spinners, merry-go-round and helicopters. There also will be face painting and children’s fingerprinting by the Sheriff’s Reserve unit.

The remaining live music lineup will start at 7 p.m. and includes Stealing Time, May 26; Kardaz, May 27; Brass Staff, May 28; Greg Iskat, May 29; Lindsay Liebro, May 30; and Marty G., May 31.

Special activities include a visit by Jalapeno Hannah, a Pirates pierogie, on May 28, and BJ’s Brewhouse cookies on May 29.

Food includes hot dogs, hamburgers, kielbasa, Italian sausage, meatball hoagies, pulled pork, haluski, french fries and pizza, as well as a variety of hot and cold snacks from pretzels to funnel cakes and ice balls to lemonade.

Many organizations and businesses have donated prizes to the big basket raffle or are serving as sponsors for the six-day event.

For details, visit olphpgh.org/parish-festival.

North Hills Arts Center seeking instructors

The North Hills Art Center, 3432 Babcock Blvd. in Ross, is looking for instructors for its adult and children programming.

Instructors can set their own schedules and write their own curriculums.

If you have knowledge in the arts to share, click on the application link at northhillsartcenter.org and complete the form. You will need to upload a resume and cover letter, as well as examples of your artwork.

The deadline to apply is May 30.

For questions, contact the center at 412-364-2622 or email info@northhillsartcenter.org.

Members sought for 175th anniversary committee

McCandless is looking for residents and business owners to join its 175th anniversary committee.

The town, which was chartered in 1851, is gearing up to mark the milestone in 2026.

This year, officials want to put together a committee of 10 residents to help with fundraising, advertising and implementing community events and programs leading up to the big day.

Interested residents can apply online at tinyurl.com/yc6m9u4z.

Applications will be accepted until June 15. Council will review the applications and make the selections.

Lab to feature vintage Apple computers

Gamers of all ages are invited to attend a throw-back computer lab session.

Historian Scott Baret will display a dozen Apple computers from the early 1990s from noon to 4 p.m. June 7 at the Heritage & Cultural Center.

The devices will be loaded with old school games such as Oregon Trail, Kid Pix, Word Munchers, Number Munchers, Math Blaster, Midnight Rescue, Carmen Sandiego and more.

Registration costs $15 and guarantees a computer in the lab for a two-hour period.

There will be two sessions from noon to 2 p.m. and 2 to 4 p.m.

Registration for the Vintage Apple Computer Lab takes place through the CivicRec site at https://secure.rec1.com/PA/mccandless-pa/catalog. You must have a CivicRec account to register.

For details and to create an account, select the McCandless Parks and Recreation tab on CivicRec. For immediate assistance, call 412-364-0616, ext. 124.

Summer festival set for Blueberry Hill Park

The community is encouraged to mark their calendars for Franklin Park’s annual Festival in the Park.

The festivities will kick off at 4 p.m. June 28 on the lower fields at Blueberry Hill Park.

The event will include inflatable fun for all ages, food trucks, activities, entertainment, a petting zoo, axe throwing and live music. A fireworks display will be held around 9:30 p.m.

Cleaning products sought to help people in need

North Hills Community Outreach currently is collecting cleaning products through June 8 to stock its pantries.

Donations can be dropped off at any of its three offices from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 9 a.m. to noon April 5 at its main office, 1975 Ferguson Road, Hampton.

Other locations are NHCO Millvale on the second floor of the Millvale Community Center, 416 Lincoln Ave., and at NHCO North Boroughs at Greenstone Methodist Church, 939 California Ave., Avalon.

Items needed include laundry detergent (under 100 ounces), disinfecting wipes, all-purpose cleaner, toilet bowl cleaner, dish detergent, packs of sponges, rolls of paper towels and canvas shopping bags.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits cannot be used for cleaning products. Such items are a necessity and often pose an expense that many low-income families are unable to afford.

Each family in need receives a bag containing the above products.

Donations also can be ordered from NHCO’s Amazon wishlist or Walmart wishlist and sent directly to its office.

AAUW fundraiser to showcase local authors

The North Hills Pittsburgh branch of the American Association of University Women is hosting its annual For the Love of Books fundraiser from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 31 at La Roche University, 9000 Babcock Blvd., McCandless.

Featured speakers include Liz Milliron, the Shamus award-nominated author of “The Laurel Highlands Mysteries Series”; JoAnne Klimovich Harrop, features writer for TribLive and author of “A Daughter’s Promise”; and Jocelyn Kraemer, author of “The Metamorphosis of Becca.”

The event will kick off with light refreshments and the opportunity to meet the authors, who will be signing their books.

There also will be vendors on-site as well as a basket raffle.

A gluten- and nut-free light lunch with dessert will be served.

The cost is $45 per person, payable by check to AAUW North Hills Pittsburgh. Mail to June Maier, 959 Broad Meadow Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15237. Include your email address to receive an email confirmation of receipt. Registration is your check, and checks must be received by May 23.

The event helps the AAUW branch raise money for scholarships and supports the organization’s mission to advance gender equality for women and girls.

Workshops to offer driving tips for teens

Impact Teen Drivers, in partnership with the Northern Regional Police Department and Marshall leaders, will present free workshops for teens and their parents or guardians throughout the year.

The workshops will be held from 7 to 8:15 p.m. June 10, Aug. 12 and Oct. 14 at the lower level of the Marshall Municipal Building, 525 Pleasant Hills Road.

The workshops will provide evidence-based strategies to keep teens safer on the road. Attendees will learn about Graduated Driver Licensing, tips and tricks to avoid distractions, the importance of seat belts, the risks of speeding and more.

The workshops are free thanks to funding by the NJM Insurance Group.

Seating is limited. To reserve a spot, email Detective Tim Hohos at thohos@nrpolice.com.

Red Cross seeks volunteers in rural areas of Pa.

The American Red Cross of Greater Pennsylvania is in need of volunteers in rural communities.

Volunteers are needed to:

• Respond to disasters. Help families after a home fire or other disaster by providing emotional support, emergency financial assistance and information to help families begin to recover.

• Help donors at blood drives. Engage with blood donors by greeting them at blood drives, helping them to register, answering questions, providing information and assisting them at the refreshments table.

• Support community education and outreach. Attend events and activities to raise awareness around home fire safety and emergency preparedness.

In 2024, more than 3,400 volunteers supported the American Red Cross of Greater Pennsylvania. These volunteers provided care and comfort to families after more than 1,500 local disasters such as home fires and floods. In addition, volunteers supported more than 5,000 local blood drives to help ensure patients had access to lifesaving blood.

To learn more and to volunteer, visit redcross.org/GPAvolunteer.

Student leaders sought for environmental program

Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful Seeking Student Leaders for Young Ambassadors Program

Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, in partnership with PennDOT, is seeking civic and environmental leaders in 10th through 12th grades to keep Pennsylvania clean and beautiful through the Young Ambassadors of Pennsylvania program.

The Young Ambassadors program empowers young community stewards and civic leaders to become ambassadors in their community for a shared vision of a clean and beautiful Pennsylvania.

Ambassadors will have the oppurtunity to train and network with industry leaders, state agencies, local media and the Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful network. They will recieve a taste of life in the public service sector.

“I’ve been in public service a long time, and I can say that community leaders are the key difference makers between getting things done and just talking about it,” PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll said. “Every new generation has more to lose with enviornmental damage, so I invite every young Pennsylvanian to be part of the solution.”

Applications are being accepted through June 10.

Students will be chosen through a competitive application process. To apply, visit keeppabeautiful.org or contact Kylie McCutcheon at 724-836-4121, ext. 114, or kmccutcheon@keeppabeautiful.org.

Animal Friends in need of pet food

Animal Friends’ Chow Wagon Pet Food Bank has put out an urgent call for wet dog and cat food.

To help, browse its wish lists on Amazon or Chewy, and your donation will be delivered to Animal Friends.

Unopened wet pet food also can be dropped off in the grey donation bins in the front entranceway and lobby of the shelter at 526 Camp Horne Road.

The Chow Wagon Pet Food Bank supports struggling pet owners throughout Allegheny County. According to its website, it distributed more than 17,000 pounds of free pet food to over 3,000 families last month.

For details, visit thinkingoutsidethecage.org/programs-services/chow-wagon.