In brief: Plum, Oakmont area news, events for the week of Dec. 8, 2025

Group offers support for weight loss

All are welcome to join the men and women at Oakmont TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) who are learning how to lose weight.

With in-person meetings, rewards, support and encouragement, we gain knowledge of healthy eating and exercise.

You may visit with no obligation Tuesdays at 5:45 p.m. at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 1261 Pennsylvania Ave. in Oakmont. Weigh-in is private followed by a brief business meeting, sharing time, and educational program all ending by 7:15.

There is well-lit parking, wheelchair accessibility and security. For details, call 412-828-3854 or e-mailjmjkwj@gmail.com.

Don’t eat alone on the holiday

Christ the Divine Shepherd Parish in Monroeville want to be sure nobody is eating alone on Christmas Day.

The church is offering a free holiday dinner from 12:30 to 3 p.m., or until the food runs out, on Dec. 25. The dinner will be served in the church’s Lourdes Center at 245 Azalea Drive, Monroeville.

American Legion scholarships

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

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

Students must submit their essay by mail or hand delivery to their local American Legion post by Jan. 7, for those in grades 9 to 12. 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.

Virtual Holiday Paint & Sip

The Myasthenia Gravis Association of Western PA is hosting its Sixth Annual Virtual Holiday Paint & Sip Celebration to benefit MGA’s free patient support services.

This year’s event will be held 7-8:30 p.m. Dec. 11. For a $50 donation to MGA, participants will receive a link to participate in the virtual holiday paint and sip event, the supplies needed to create their own snowflake-inspired art, and two bottles of wine from Kavic Winery in Carnegie. The creation of the art will be led by art therapist Kristy Walter and the wine tasting will be led by Michael and Patricia Kavic.

Myasthenia Gravis is often called the “Snowflake Disease” because it manifests itself differently in every patient.

For more information or to register for the event, email mgaoffice@mgawpa.org or call 412-566-1545.

Rotary scholarships available

The Bob Williams Rotary Memorial Scholarship Program has scholarships available for the 2025-26 academic year.

In recent years, the program has awarded at least eight need-based scholarships of $5,000 each.

High school seniors in Allegheny and Beaver counties are eligible to apply.

Those attending New Kensington-Arnold, Kiski Area and Burrell Area high schools and The Kiski School in Westmoreland County also are eligible. Vocational students, GED students and those attending parochial, charter and private schools also are eligible.

Students must have a 2.5 or higher grade-point average and must complete an essay highlighting their community/school service.

Complete application and criteria materials, including application deadline, are available on the Rotary District 7305 website at rotarydistrict7305.org by clicking on Scholarship Opportunities. Applications also are available through area high school counselors.

For details, contact Dr. Robert Arbuckle, committee chairperson, at rarbuckl@yahoo.com.

Food pantry offers help

The Plum Food Pantry, 81 Sandune Drive, distributes free food from 4:30 to 6 p.m. the first three Tuesdays of each month for Plum residents. Residents in need must stop in at the pantry to be certified/verified.

For more information, call 724-327-0367.

Association of University People

The Association of University People invites singles 50 and older who are four-year college graduates to join them for activities and to meet new people. Activities include spring/summer picnics, monthly dinners, a book group, Scrabble, meeting up at local outside concerts and wineries.

Those interested can attend three activities as guests before joining. To obtain more information about AUP or become an AUP member, call and leave a message at 412-353-9088 or email Aupsingles@gmail.com.