In brief: Verona Community Group virtual spring meeting, student news and more in Penn Hills

Spring Verona community meeting

Join the Verona Community Group via Zoom to catch up on what’s happening in the neighborhood at 7 p.m. May 6.

The group will share updates from various local organizations and plans to celebrate Verona’s 150th birthday. Detailed agenda to follow.

For access to the Zoom link, visit veronacommunity.org/events.

Student news

• Brandon Weltz recently was initiated into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest and most selective all-discipline collegiate honor society. Weltz was initiated at Pennsylvania State University.

Weltz is among approximately 30,000 students, faculty, professional staff and alumni to be initiated into Phi Kappa Phi each year. Membership is by invitation only and requires nomination and approval by a chapter.

• Kadie Platt was awarded the Alpha Lambda Delta 2021 Senior Certificate at the 2021 Mount Union Honors Convocation. University of Mount Union students were acknowledged at the institution’s Senior Recognition and Honors Convocation, held virtually April 20 on its website and social media channels.

Verona to kick off 150th celebration

Verona will kick off its sesquicentennial celebrations marking 150 years since its May 10, 1871, incorporation.

The event on May 8 marks the kickoff of summer festivities celebrating the borough. There will be a musical performance from the Western PA Center for the Arts, and local historians will share stories from Verona’s past.

Participants can choose to attend in person at Railroad Park, or watch the Facebook Live stream from home.

All in-person attendees will be asked to adhere to covid-19 guidelines. Bring your own chair or blanket for seating.

Birthday cupcakes will be served at the conclusion of the event.

City Nature Challenge

The Chalfant Run/Thompson Run Watershed Association is holding the City Nature Challenge. Using the free iNaturalist app, work together virtually with cities around the world to safely document biodiversity in our neighborhoods.

Kicking off April 30, the challenge runs through the end of the day May 3.

Participation is easy. All you need is a camera and the free iNaturalist app (a camera phone or tablet if you have one).

Identification of the photographed species will be crowd-sourced through the online community May 4-9. For more details, visit the 2021 Pittsburgh City Nature Challenge project at iNaturalist.

All participants are encouraged to follow public health guidelines provided by local governments.

Class reunion

The Penn Hills High School Class of 1976 will hold its 45th reunion June 25-27.

There will be a buffet dinner at 7 p.m. June 25 at the Comfort Inn Grand Ballroom, 180 Gamma Drive. Tickets are $45 each until May 21. Rooms are $80 each at the group rate.

On June 26, the class is gathering from 1 to 6 p.m. at the Rosedale Beach Club, 5407 Third St., to swim and socialize.

Non-members can enter as guests for $5. No advanced ticket or reservations are needed.

On June 27, there will be a live band and cash bar at the Fox Chapel Baja Club from 1 to 6 p.m.

The Nieds Hotel Band, a Penn Hills-rooted band, will be holding a fundraiser. A voluntary donation is suggested at the door.