In brief: Plum, Oakmont area news, events for the week of Oct. 27, 2025

PALS to meet, collect items for military overseas

The Plum Area Ladies Society (PALS) will have its monthly meeting at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 5 at the Plum Community Center, 499 Center New Texas Road.

The speaker will be Lynn Cass, a disability advocate from East Suburban Citizen Advocacy. Members are welcome to offer monetary donations to the organization.

The service project will be to fill 100 Christmas stockings for members of the military overseas. Suggested items are granola bars; five-hour energy drinks; mints or gum; Pop-Tarts; lollipops; Skittles; Starburst; Rice Krispies treats; individual bags of trail mix; Cheez-its; fruit snacks; individual bags of nuts; power bars; single-serve powdered Gatorade; Slim Jims; individual bags of cookies, crackers or snacks; chocolate candy; pretzels; and Christmas candy and snacks. There can be no expiration dates before Dec. 31.

The theme for the refreshments at the meeting will be “Grateful and Blest.”

The Ladies Day Out event will be dinner from 4 to 7 p.m. Nov. 22 at the Golden Goblet. Sign-ups will be taken at the meeting. The annual banquet will be from 5 to 8 p.m. May 6 at a venue in Monroeville.

PALS is a service and social organization open to women from Plum, Penn Hills and surrounding areas. Newcomers are welcome to attend a regular meeting, which are held on the first Wednesday of the month, September through April, at the Plum Community Center.

For details, call Mary Lou Spohn-Meyers at 724 327-8265.

Leaf season

While the autumn leaf colors may be a beautiful sight, raked leaf piles can cause more harm than good if left in certain areas in a neighborhood.

Oakmont officials reminded residents of different spots to avoid when raking. They asked folks to keep their piles away from fire hydrants so they can remain accessible in emergencies. Officials also asked for piles to be kept above curbs as much as possible. Lastly, residents were asked to keep leaves away from storm drains to prevent rainwater blockages and flooding.

The borough’s leaf collection program began on Oct. 13. Run by Shank Waste Service, it will continue intermittenly until Dec. 30.

Oakmont Elks to serve free dinner for vets

Oakmont Elks Lodge No. 1668, 106 Washington Ave, Oakmont, will serve its annual Veterans’ Day dinner at 5 p.m. Nov. 11.

The dinner is free for area veterans, reservists and active military members. Guests are welcome to accompany them for $10.

Reservations are requested and will be taken until 4 p.m. Nov. 9. To reserve a spot, call 412-828-1668.

RCAC plans open house

Riverview Community Action Corporation is hosting an open house from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Nov. 6 at its center, 501 Second St., Oakmont.

Attendees can mingle with community leaders and chat with members of the RCAC team.

There will be live keyboard entertainment by Janet Knapp Graham, a charcuterie from Pickles & Pancetta and cookies from Oakmont Bakery.

No reservations are required, and everyone from the surrounding communities is welcome to attend.

Parking is available at St. Paul Baptist Church, 180 Delaware Ave.

RCAC’s activity center offers a monthly lunch menu as well as fitness, education and social activities to adults 60 and older.

For details about the organization, visit rcacorp.org.

Plum Class of 1985 to hold reunion

Plum’s Class of 1985 will host its 40th class reunion on Nov. 28 at Veltre’s Wedding Venue on Coxcomb Hill Road.

Organizers are seeking contact information for class members. Details about the reunion are available at the “Plum HS 1985 — 40 Year Reunion” Facebook page or via email at plum1985reunion@gmail.com.

The event will take place from 5 to 9 p.m.

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.

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.

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.