Monroeville area: Tree lighting, toy drive and more

Email news briefs and event listings to pvarine@triblive.com or bpoole@triblive.com.

Symphony East holiday luncheon

The public is invited to the annual Symphony East “Sounds of Joy” holiday luncheon, set for 11:45 a.m. Dec. 2 at the Lamplighter Restaurant on Route 22.

A buffet luncheon will be served at 11:45 a.m. with live entertainment by dance band Dr. Zoot at 1 p.m. The event also will include a holiday basket raffle. The cost of the meal is $35 per person. No reservations are required if only attending the 1 p.m. performance. Performance-only tickets are $15.

The Lamplighter is at 6566 Route 22 in Salem, just outside Delmont.

For more, or to request a reservation form, call 724-327-4864 or go to SymphonyEast.org/events.

Holiday concert

The Monroeville Historical Society will host the 55th annual Tree Lighting and Holiday Concert on Nov. 26 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Old Stone Church, 2700 Stroschein Road.

The concert will feature holiday music courtesy of the Hip Bones, Gateway High School String Band and the Monroeville Chorus. Santa Claus is scheduled to make an appearance.

This is a free, all-ages event. Parking is available at Petco, GetGo or at Miracle Mile. The historical society requests patrons do not leave their vehicles at Eat’n Park.

International women meeting

The International Women of Monroeville will hold its monthly meeting at 9:30 a.m. Dec. 6 at Cross Roads Presbyterian Church, 2310 Haymaker Road in Monroeville.

The December meeting is a holiday celebration, with members bringing their favorite Christmas dishes along with music and carol singing. It is the club’s final meeting until March 2025.

All women in the community are invited to attend.

Toy drive

AY Beauty in Monroeville is collecting toys for its first community toy drive in partnership with Lean On Me, which organizes support groups for single mothers.

Donations are due by Nov. 30 and can be dropped off at the store, 100 Boyce Park Drive in Monroeville.

For more, call 412-557-8813 or email leanonme412@gmail.com.

Events at Divine Mercy

Divine Mercy Academy, 245 Azalea Drive, Monroeville, will host the following events:

• Bingo, 7 p.m. Nov. 21 at Lourdes Center Hall. Doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets are $20 and include six regular cards, five special games and one jackpot game. Daubers and snacks will be available to purchase.

• Holiday craft and vendor show, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 7.

For more, email dmamonroevilleptg@gmail.com.

Free Thanksgiving dinners

Christ the Divine Shepherd parish will host a free Nov. 28 Thanksgiving dinner open to those would otherwise be eating alone.

It will be from 12:30 to 3 p.m. (or until food runs out) at the church, 245 Azalea Drive in Monroeville.

Surgery center named best in Pennsylvania

Allegheny Health Network’s Monroeville Surgery Center was again ranked first in the state by Newsweek magazine’s list of the best ambulatory surgery centers in the country.

The network’s Westmoreland Outpatient Center, Bethel Park Surgery Center, Wexford Health and Wellness Pavilion Surgery Center and North Shore Endoscopy Center were also ranked among the top 25 in the state.

The magazine’s ranking recognizes the leading 650 ambulatory surgery centers in the U.S. based on quality of care, patient experience, performance data and peer recommendations.

The center opened in 2013, and was the first in western Pennsylvania to offer joint replacement procedures in an ambulatory surgery setting.

Heating assistance available

Thousands of eligible customers miss out on bill assistance by not applying for federal grants. With the winter season approaching, many income-eligible customers remain unaware of programs that can significantly reduce their energy bill.

Peoples Natural Gas, an essential utilities company, encourages its customers to take advantage of available resources to help offset winter heating costs.

The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), is now open for the 2024-25 heating season. LIHEAP is a federally funded assistance program that provides grants to eligible low-income households to help pay for heating costs. Grants start at $200 and may be higher based on income and the number of people living in the home.

To qualify for a LIHEAP grant, customers must have a total gross household income at or below 150% of the federal poverty level. Customers do not have to be on public assistance or have an unpaid heating bill. LIHEAP is open to renters and homeowners. To learn more about the income limits and to apply, visit https://www.pa.gov/en/agencies/dhs.html, click on Services in the menu and search for LIHEAP.

In addition to LIHEAP, Peoples offers programs to help make energy-saving home improvements that reduce long-term costs. If you or someone you know needs assistance, call 1-800-400-WARM (9276) or visit peoples-gas.com/help to learn more.

Alzheimer’s, dementia webinar

More than 6 million individuals are living with Alzheimer’s disease in the U.S., and there are about 11 million unpaid caregivers supporting them. Around the world, the disease impacts about 50 million people.

Penn State Extension is joining forces with the Alzheimer’s Association to present a free webinar, “Understanding Alzheimer’s and Dementia,” to provide an overview of Alzheimer’s and dementia.

This webinar will take place from 6 to 7 p.m. Nov. 29.

The program is designed for people who are facing an Alzheimer’s or dementia diagnosis, for caregivers looking after someone with these conditions, and for anyone who wants to learn more about Alzheimer’s and other dementias.

Participants will learn:

• How Alzheimer’s disease affects people.

• The difference between Alzheimer’s and dementia.

• The stages of Alzheimer’s and what makes some people more likely to get it.

• What scientists are discovering and the treatments available to help with some of the symptoms.

This webinar is free, but attendees must register by Nov. 29 to get access to the link. Those who register also will receive a link to watch the recording of the program.

For details and to sign up, visit the Penn State Extension website at extension.psu.edu/understanding-alzheimers-and-dementia or call 1-877-345-0691.