Norwin area: Book sale, heating assistance, tree sale, more

Scouts to sell Christmas trees

Boy Scout Troop 284 of Irwin will be selling live Christmas trees at the Busy Beaver store parking lot at the Norwin Hills Shopping Center.

The tree sale will be from 5-9 p.m. Dec. 12; 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Dec. 13; and from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Dec. 14.

Library to book sale underway

The Friends of the Norwin Public Library will hold its annual Holiday Book Bundle sale throughout December at the library at 100 Caruthers Lane, Irwin.

A wide variety of gently used books and gifts will be available. The sale will continue in December until all the books are sold.

Heating assistance program enrollment

The federally funded Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP, has opened enrollment for the season, offering one-time cash grants to qualifying applicants to help with home heating bills or emergency repairs.

Households can apply through April 10 or until the funds are depleted.

This season’s grants range from $200 to $1,000. The income eligibility limit for the 2025-26 program is 150% of the federal income guidelines. A family of four can earn an income up to $48,225 and qualify.

Residents can apply at www.compass.state.pa.us or by calling 866-857-7095.

Church to sell pierogi

St. Stephen’s Byzantine Catholic Church, 90 Bethel Rd., North Huntingdon, will have its Christmas pierogi sale beginning at 10 a.m. Dec. 12.

Potato and cheese and sweet cabbage pierogi are both $14 a dozen. Sauerkraut pierogi are $15 a dozen, and lekvar pierogi are $16 a dozen. Cottage cheese pierogi are $17 a dozen.

For more information or to preorder, contact the church at 412-627-1678.

Auditions planned for East End Kids

Auditions for East End Kids will take place at 1:30 p.m. Jan. 11 at DeStella Dance Centre, 5800 Kennedy Ave., Export.

Students in grades 6-12 are welcome to try out for the teen song and dance ensemble.

Candidates should prepare 32 bars of a ballad and 32 bars of an up-tempo selection (Broadway-style preferred) and wear comfortable clothing and shoes for a short movement routine. They will need to bring accompaniment on their phones for their vocal auditions or be prepared to sing a cappella.

For details, visit cervi-eastendkids.org or email EastEndKids.Business@gmail.com.

Sage’s Army holds toy drive

Sage’s Army and Dream Life Recovery are holding a holiday toy drive for children and teens, with a party planned for 4 to 7 p.m. Dec. 12 at its Hempfield office, 6044 Route 30, Suite 400.

Donations can be dropped off during normal business hours. Santa will be at the party and light food will be available.

For more information, contact Sage’s Army at 724-863-5433.

Irwin note card scenes for sale

Irwin Borough is selling blank note cards depicting scenes of the community for $10 a pack.

The cards are available at the borough office, 424 Main St. The scenes are drawn by local artist Bob Weaver, a retired Yough High School art teacher.

The proceeds will benefit the Irwin Business and Professional Association, and will help the organization with the events it hosts in the borough.

The borough office is open from 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Buyers can pay cash or write checks payable to “Irwin Business and Professional Association.”

Journalism scholarship

The Press Club of Western Pennsylvania is accepting applications for its 20th annual Bob Fryer Memorial Scholarship ($5,000) and the club’s annual $2,500 scholarship for aspiring journalists.

Applications are available at WesternPApressclub.org, by calling 412-281-7778 or emailing 412-600-0606.

Deadline for entries is Feb. 9. Winners will be awarded at the club’s annual Golden Quills Awards Dinner.

American Legion scholarships

The Pennsylvania American Legion is taking entries for its annual essay contest. Winners will receive scholarships of $3,500, $3,000 or $2,500.

The contest is open to students in grades 9-12. Students can be from public, private, parochial, cyber/charter or home-schooled.

Students must submit their essay by mail or hand delivery to their local American Legion post by Jan. 7, 2026. Complete rules and regulations are available at PA-legion.com/programs/student-and-youth/essay-program, by calling 412-389-2626 or by emailing wareagles79@hotmail.com.

The Legion also hosts an oratorical contest with scholarships of $7,500, $5,000 and $4,000. That contest also is open to those in grades 9-12. The deadline to enter is Nov. 30. More information is available at Legion.org/oratorical, by calling 724-681-4995 or emailing jgdrnjevich@aol.com.

AARP seeking tax-prep aides

The AARP Foundation is seeking volunteers to be trained for its tax aide program, the nation’s largest free volunteer-based tax preparation program.

Volunteers can be trained as tax return preparers or as client facilitators. Anyone interested in volunteering can call 724-374-3780.

For more, see AARPfoundation.org/taxaide.

Association of University People

The Association of University People invites potential new members to join them at an event.

The association invites singles aged 50 and older, who are four-year college graduates, to join them for activities and to meet new people. Activities include picnics, monthly dinners, a book group and meetups at local concerts and wineries.

For more, call 412-353-9088 or email AUPsingles@gmail.com.