In brief: Happenings in the Hampton area

Homecoming set for Oct. 3

The community is invited to celebrate Homecoming 2025 with the Hampton School District on Oct. 3.

The annual Talbot Tailgate will take place before the football game from 3:30 to 7 p.m. in the Hampton Middle School side parking lot. This communitywide event will feature various games, concessions and booths as a fundraiser for Hampton clubs and activities.

The evening will include an induction ceremony into the Athletic Hall of Fame from 6:15 to 6:30 p.m. and a performance by the high school marching band at 6:40 p.m.

During halftime, the 2025 homecoming king and queen will be selected, and the school year’s honorary Talbot mascot will be introduced.

Students were invited to register their dogs for the mascot honor and to vote for their favorite. The community can vote from 3:30 to 6 p.m. during the Talbot Tailgate, and all donations raised will benefit a local to-be-announced charity. The dog that raises the most money will receive a plaque and bragging rights as Hampton’s best dog of 2025.

The Talbot football team will take on Indiana at 7 p.m.

District is hiring

The Hampton School District is accepting applications for several substitute job openings.

Those positions include guest teachers, school nurses, elementary building substitutes, paraeducators and clerical paraprofessionals.

To view a current list of openings and requirements, as well as to apply, visit bit.ly/4lHVseu.

33rd annual run/walk scheduled for Oct. 12

The Hampton Alliance for Educational Excellence is hosting its 33rd annual 5K Fun Run/Walk at 9 a.m. Oct. 12 in Hampton Community Park.

HAEE, a volunteer-run nonprofit organization, grants thousands of dollars to enrich the educational experience in each of Hampton’s schools, including programs for the advancement of technology in the curriculum, hands-on inventive learning in all academic areas through special programs, and added support for special needs, physical education and the arts.

It also raises money for student scholarships.

Registration for the race costs $30.

To register, visit hamptonalliance.org/race.html.

If you are unable to participate in the race in person but still would like to make a donation, visit the HAEE donation page at runsignup.com/Race/Donate/PA/AllisonPark/HAEE5k.

Community invited to annual International Day of Peace event

The annual North Hills International Day of Peace Celebration is planned for 2 to 4 p.m. Sept. 21 at Point Grove in North Park.

This year’s theme is “Act Now for a Peaceful World” and remembers Sister Elizabeth “Betty” Sundry, who died June 1 at age 88. Sundry, a member of the Sisters of Divine Providence, was involved in many social justice efforts.

The event aims to promote peace and cultural diversity through entertainment, personal stories, information tables, food samplings, activities and a flag ceremony.

The gathering is hosted by AAUW North Hills Pittsburgh, Sisters of Divine Providence, La Roche University, North Hills Ebony Women Inc., Muslim Association of Pittsburgh, YWCA Greater Pittsburgh and members of the North Hills communities.

For details, email diversity@laroche.edu.

Lions organizing oldies dance Oct. 11

The Elfinwild Lions Club is sponsoring an oldies dance from 7:30 to 11:30 p.m. Oct. 11 at St. Ursula’s Hall, Duncan Avenue, Hampton.

Tickets are $25 per person and include beer, pop, water and a light buffet. Jan Smith will be the disc jockey.

For tickets, visit the Shaler North Hills Library, 1822 Mt. Royal Blvd., or call 412-487-1888.

Annual Dragon Boat Festival planned at North Park Lake

The Pittsburgh Hearts of Steel Breast Cancer Survivor Dragon Boat Team invites the community to a day of thrilling races, vibrant entertainment, delicious food and family fun at its annual Pittsburgh Dragon Boat Festival.

The event will run from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sept. 27 at North Park Lake in McCandless.

This year’s family-friendly festival will feature spirited races with community teams, sport teams, youth teams, para-paddlers and teams of cancer survivors battling it out for glory.

There also will be cultural performances such as the lion dance, family-friendly activities, vendor booths and food trucks.

Proceeds from the festival will benefit Pittsburgh Hearts of Steel, an all-breast cancer survivor dragon boat team founded in 2017. With members ranging from ages 24 to 80, Hearts of Steel brings together survivors from diverse backgrounds to promote full and active lives through the empowering sport of dragon boating.

To learn more about the team, visit heartsofsteelpittsburgh.org.

Fall programming set for adults

The Hampton Community Center has plenty of activities to keep residents moving throughout fall months.

Activities include pickleball, volleyball, badminton, swimming, boot camp workout, bodysculpting, yoga and recreational dance. To view fees and offerings, visit hampton-pa.org.

The Owl Prowl education session and hike returns from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Nov. 13. The cost is $20 per person.

A new Cocktail & Mixology class led by Lucky Sign Spirits is planned from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Nov. 5. The cost is $50 per person. Participants will learn to make two proper, and personalized, cocktails: the old fashioned and the sour. The deadline to register is Oct. 31. The class is limited to 16 partipants.

A complete list is available online in the fall Hampton Highlights newsletter.

Self-defense seminar open to females 12 and up

The Hampton Community Center is offering an introductory seminar on effective self-defense for females 12 and older.

The Fearless Female: Self-defense and Safety Empowerment seminar will be held from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Oct. 11.

Instruction will focus on awareness, avoidance and escape techniques.

The cost is $30 per participant. Everyone should wear comfortable clothing and shoes.

To register, visit hampton-pa.org. The class is limited to 28 participants.

Pints in the Park plans October outing

A special Pints in the Park, dubbed Parktoberfest, is planned from 5 to 9 p.m. Oct. 10 in the parking lot of the Hampton Community Center, 3200 Lochner Road.

The family-friendly event will include kids activities, live music and food trucks, as well as beer and libations for those 21 and older. Beverages include craft brews, wines, spirits and nonalcoholic options.

There is no entry fee to attend; anyone younger than 21 must be accompanied by an adult who is 21 or older.

The gathering is presented by Strange Roots Experimental Ales.

Register in advance for Halloween Parade

Registration is open for Hampton’s annual Halloween Parade.

This year’s event will take place rain or shine from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 25 in Hampton Community Park.

There will be a costume contest for childre 10 and younger, a Build-A-Bear raffle, photo booth, a haunted hayride, music and more.

There will be loads of candy, cookies and treats for everyone.

The township’s first responders also will be set up, including Hampton police officers and members of the Hampton Township Volunteer Fire Department and Shaler Hampton EMS.

Registration in advance is required for preparation purposes. There will be no walk-ins.

For details and to register, visit hampton-pa.org.

In addition, the township is hosting a pumpkin-carving contest until Oct. 24. Details will be on the township’s website when they become available.

Farmers market runs through Oct. 8

Hampton’s farmers market runs from 3 to 7 p.m. Wednesdays through Oct. 8 in the community park.

The market features fresh produce, homemade goods and food trucks.

The township is accepting vendor applications.

Applications can be filled out online at tinyurl.com/5adxnz8w; mailed to Hampton Township, Attn: Bill Ryder Farmers Market, 3200 Lochner Way, Hampton, PA 15101; or emailed to bill.ryder@hampton-pa.org.

Garden club to explore Beatrix Potter

The Ingomar Garden Club will gather for its monthly meeting at 10:30 a.m. Oct. 1 at Northmont Church, 8169 Perry Highway, McCandless.

The 10:30 a.m. business meeting will be followed by an 11:30 lunch and a program, “Introducing Beatrix Potter,” presented by Ann Troxler of the Beatrix Potter Society. Society members have been delivering Beatrix Potter talks since 2005 to adult groups worldwide, teaching about her works and how her legacy continues to impact us today.

Prospective members are welcome to attend.

For details, visit ingomargardenclub.com.

Junior Achievement seeks nominations of teens for program

Junior Achievement of Western PA is once again seeking nominations for 18 young leaders who are using their voices to create change.

The 18 Under Eighteen program, now in its fifth year, was launched to recognize young people who are making a difference, not just in sports or academics, but also within their communities.

So far, the program, presented by the EQT Foundation, has honored 72 teens across 10 counties in Western Pennsylvania and West Virginio. Their contributions include medical research, founding nonprofits, advocating for marginalized communities, developing innovative solutions to real-world problems and more.

Honorees are selected by a diverse panel of judges from the corporate, nonprofit, community and educational sectors. Those chosen will receive:

• Professional leadership training taught by White House-recognized community leader and brand expert BeNeca Griffin;

• Personal media assets and recognition, including a personal billboard courtesy of Lamar Advertising;

• Networking, mentoring, and scholarship opportunities;

• Gifts from JA partners.

Nominations are open through Sept. 30, and honorees will be announced Jan. 6. The awards celebration will take place Feb. 3 at Acrisure Stadium.

JA invites parents, teachers, mentors and peers to nominate individuals 18 or younger who are making an impact and reside in JA’s 56-county footprint.

For details about the program and to submit a nomination, visit jawesternpa.org.

Outreach collecting coats, accessories for kids

North Hills Community Outreach is collecting new coats for children ages infant to 18 through Oct. 16.

New hats, scarves and gloves also are being accepted.

Gift cards to purchase coats are welcome as well.

The outerwear will be distributed in the fall to area children in need.

Donations can be dropped off at any of NHCO’s three offices — its main office at 1975 Ferguson Road, Hampton; the second floor of the Millvale Community Center, 416 Lincoln Ave.; and Greenstone Methodist Church, 939 California Ave., Avalon.

Coats and accessories also can be ordered through the NHCO Winter Coat Shop wishlist on Amazon at tinyurl.com/ypc74ws9 and shipped directly to the nonprofit.

Blood donors sought

The need for blood donors persists, and the American Red Cross and Vitalant are encouraging people to help.

Donations of all blood types are crucial year-round, especially type O, the most frequently transfused blood type. O-negative blood can be given to patients of any blood type, while O-positive can help most patients.

Here are a few nearby Red Cross blood drives:

• Noon to 5 p.m. Sept. 16 at the Allegheny County Public Safety Training Campus, 700 W. Ridge Road, McCandless

• 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 30 at Northgate High School, 589 Union Ave., Bellevue

• 1 to 6 p.m. Sept. 30 at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, 3832 Gibsonia Road, Richland

• 1 to 6 p.m. Oct. 23 at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel – St. Athanasius Church, 7 Chalfonte Ave., West View

• 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 29 at Keystone Summit Park, 3000 Ericsson Drive, Marshall

• Noon to 5 p.m. Oct. 31 at Christ Lutheran Church, 917 Evergreen Ave., Millvale

To find a Red Cross location and to learn more about blood donation, including eligibility information, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Vitalant operates about 115 donation centers nationwide and is hosting drives at several locations in the North Hills area this month, including:

• 3 to 7 p.m. Sept. 17 at Bloodmobile at Bruster’s Ice Cream of Ingomar, 9600 Perry Highway, McCandless.

• Noon to 4 p.m. Oct. 3 at Richland Township’s activity room, 4019 Dickey Road, Richland.

• 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 5 at St. John Neumann Roman Catholic Church, 2230 Rochester Road, Franklin Park.

• 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 5 at Triumph Church, 1293 Mt. Nebo Road, Ohio Township.

• 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 10 at Deer Lakes High School’s gym, 163 E. Union Road, West Deer.

• Noon to 4:30 p.m. Oct. 10 at West Deer Township’s meeting room, 133 E. Union Road, West Deer.

• Noon to 4:30 p.m. Oct. 14 at UPMC Passavant Hospital’s Passavant Annex, 9100 Babcock Blvd., McCandless.

• 7:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. Oct. 15 at Fox Chapel High School’s LGI Room, 611 Field Club Road, Fox Chapel.

• 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 19 at St. Matthew’s lyceum, 106 North Ave., Millvale.

• 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 22 at AHN-Wexford Hospital, 12351 Perry Highway, Pine.

Vitalant also regularly schedules collection dates at its Cranberry Donation Center, Butler Centre, Second Floor, 20421 Route 19; Pittsburgh Fox Chapel Donation Center at One Alexander Center, Suite 207, 2585 Freeport Road; and Pittsburgh North Hills Donation Center at McKnight North Professional Center, Suite 600, 9365 McKnight Road, McCandless.

To make an appointment and find other locations, visit vitalant.org, download and use the Vitalant app or call 877-25-VITAL (877-258-4825)

Seminar aims to teach financial independence

Bob Gordon of McCandless, founder of My Dream Life, is hosting a 10-session seminar to help people looking to live their “dream life,” one that is free of financial and time constraints.

“Living Life on Your Terms: Being Financially Independent” will be held in the event room at Ruckus Cafe, 1707 Babcock Blvd., Shaler.

The sessions will meet from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 1, 8, 15 and 22; Nov. 5, 19 and 26; and Dec. 3, 10 and 17.

Tuition is $150 and is due at the time of registration.

Participants must register before attending the first session and must be on time for each session, which means seated and ready to begin at least five minutes before the start time.

Gordon has been making a difference in the disability community for many years and empowering people through leadership programs and other businesses. Now 75, he is looking to share how everyone can live a “fully expressed life,” which he has been doing since he was 33.

“I firmly believe that what people really want is to make a difference. And when they have their basic survival income handled, they are free to make that difference,” Gordon said.

To register and to learn more about the program, visit my-dreamlife.com.

Safe2Say program important tool for school safety

As a new school year kicks off, state lawmakers are reminding students, parents and community members about Safe2Say Something, a youth violence prevention program run by the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General.

Safe2Say Something teaches youths and adults how to recognize the warning signs and signals, especially within social media, from individuals who may be a threat to themselves or others and to “say something” before it is too late, according to safe2saypa.org.

People can report an anonymous tip by phone at 1-844-SAF2SAY (1-844-723-2729), online at safe2saypa.org or through the Safe2Say app. A crisis center reviews, assesses and processes all submissions. In case of an emergency, call 911.

Among the statistics noted on the organization’s website:

• 1 million students reported being harassed, threatened or subjected to other forms of cyberbullying.

• 80% of school shooters told someone of their violent plans; 59% told more than one person.

• 70% of people who died by suicide told someone of their plans and gave some other warning sign.

Taco Tuesday fundraiser to benefit Blessing Board

The Blessing Board is hosting a Taco Tuesday fundraiser from 6 to 8 p.m. Sept. 23 at Shaler Plaza, 880 Butler St.

The cost is $50 per person and $35 per person for groups of eight or more.

Admission includes a meal from the Los Gallitos food truck, tickets for two margaritas or beers from Dancing Gnome, soft drinks and water, and dessert from Oakmont Bakery.

All proceeds benefit the Blessing Board, a nonprofit celebrating its 15th anniversay of providing free furniture, household items and home medical equipment to people in need.

Participants must be 21 or older.

Registration is required by Sept. 18. To register, visit tinyurl.com/bdzn77wp.

For questions, call 412-423-6074 or email finance@theblessingboard.org.

Driving course open to 55 and older

Seniors for Safe Driving is offering a course for motorists 55 and older from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 3 at the Hampton Community Center, 3101 McCully 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.

To have your news or event listed, email editor Marje Horvath at mhorvath@triblive.com.