The return of 'Gen. Grant,' tax help, historical society meetings, more in Murrysville area

‘Grant’ returns to Murrysville library next month

Living historian and Gettysburg resident Ken Serfass will once again portray former Civil War general and U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant on Feb. 9, presenting “The Surrender of Robert E. Lee.”

The program will focus on events leading up to Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee’s formal surrender, ending fighting in Virginia during the Civil War.

Serfass portrays Grant on walking tours, horseback rides, railroad excursions and regular events throughout the Northeast. In 2015, he was invited to join the Federal Generals Corps, a living-history organization hosting first-person impressions of many of the most well-known Union generals.

The program will take place at 6:30 p.m. at the Murrysville municipal building, 4100 Sardis Road. It also will be broadcast live on Comcast local access Channel 19 and streamed at Murrysville.com (Click on the “Residents” menu, then the “Connect” link).

Registration is encouraged at MurrysvillePArecreation.com/578/Adult-Teen-and-Family-Programs. For details, call 724-327-2100, ext. 131.

Upcoming library programs

The Murrysville Community Library will host the following special programs this month:

• Jan 24: John McCarthy, author of “The Innovator Next Door” and “Driving Forward in Reverse,” will give a talk on creative thinking, featuring some of the stories included in his recent books along with exercises and techniques to help spark individual creativity.

• Jan. 25: BeSMART, a nonprofit focused on gun safety, will host an educational program about safe gun storage. Free gun locks will be available.

All programs are free and open to the public; register online at Murrysville Library.org. For details, call 724-327-1102.

‘Hot Chocolate Hike’ set for Jan. 29

The Murrysville Recreation Department and the Westmoreland Conservancy will host a “Hot Chocolate Hike” at 10 a.m. Jan. 29 in Murrysville Community Park.

Hikers will meet at the Field 3 parking at the park, 4056 Wiestertown Road in Murrysville, and the easy 2- to 3-mile hike will follow the park’s Valley Trail, which will connect to trails in the Walter Reserve. The hike is open to all ages. It is a wooded hike with some slopes and may require stepping over fallen trees. Dress for the weather and plan for the terrain.

For details, see MurrysvillePArecreation.com or call 724-327-2100, ext. 115.

Upcoming public meetings

• Franklin Regional School Board voting meeting, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 24 in the Murrysville Municipal Building, 4100 Sardis Road. Meetings are broadcast live on Comcast local access Channel 19 and streamed at Murrysville.com.

• Export Council, 6:30 p.m. Feb. 1 at the borough building, 5821 Washington Ave. For more information, including an agenda to review before the meeting, visit ExportPennsylvania.com.

• Delmont Council, 7 p.m. Feb. 8 at the borough building, 77 Greensburg St. For more information, including an agenda to review before the meeting, visit Delmont Boro.com.

Delmont library schedule

The Delmont Public Library will host the following upcoming programs at the library, 75 School St., across from the borough building:

• Feb. 3: Delmont Visionary Committee meeting, 7 p.m.

• Feb. 8: Tax help will be available by appointment from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Email mgamblin@westmorelandca.org or call 412-368-2273 to schedule an appointment. Additional sessions will be held Feb. 12 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• Feb. 28: Westmoreland Historical Society meeting, 7 p.m.

Recreation department issues parks challenge

The Murrysville Recreation Department is again issuing its “12 for 12” challenge to residents alongside the Westmoreland Conservancy, encouraging the public to explore 12 miles of parks, reserves and trails, log their miles and take advantage of the outdoors.

Those who are more exercise-­minded can log their mileage in a free virtual challenge. Last year, nearly 400 people logged more than 9,000 miles during the three-month challenge from January to March.

Register online at RunSign Up.com: Click on “Find a Race” and enter “Murrysville 12 for 12” in the search box. For details, visit MurrysvillePArecreation.com or call 724-327-2100, ext. 131.