In brief: Pumpkin decorating, Music Plus concert series and more around Sewickley

Pumpkin decorating at the library

The Sewickley Public Library invites the community to decorate a pumpkin to be a part of the library’s annual Booktacular Pumpkin Patch display in the children’s department.

Families work together to design and decorate one of the provided pumpkins using inspiration from their favorite picture books.

Participating families are encouraged to unleash their creativity for this fun Halloween activity using paint, paper, ribbons, glitter, stickers or other adornments to decorate a superb squash.

Carved pumpkins get messy fast indoors, so the library recommends saving the carving for your pumpkins at home.

Pumpkin pickup is at the library at 10 a.m. Oct. 9.

Once you decorate your pumpkin as your favorite picture book character, return it to the library by Oct. 21 to be included in the spooktacular pumpkin display.

The display will be up in the children’s department through Oct. 31.

Advanced registration is required. More information can be found online at sewickleylibrary.org or by calling the children’s department at 412-741-0937.

Music Plus at St. James Church

The Music Plus Concert Series at St. James Church, after a year’s break, will begin its 2021-2022 season on Oct. 24 with James Houlik on the tenor saxophone, assisted by Vahan Sargsyan on piano. The main 50-minute concert, titled “Unexpected Beauty: The Tenor Saxophone,” will begin at 3 p.m., preceded by a 2-2:50 preconcert presented by the Amato Music Studio. Masks are recommended.

Houlik has been acclaimed critically around the world as the preeminent saxophonist on his instrument and has introduced the unexpected beauty of the tenor saxophone to audiences.

He performs with many of the world’s great orchestras, has performed in the East Room of the White House, and “The London Daily Mail” hails him as “The World’s Great Saxophone Virtuoso.” With his engaging repertoire and compelling artistry, Houlik serves up dependably exciting performances.

He is an artist lecturer in saxophone at Carnegie Mellon University.

Houlik will sell CDs after the concert.

The freewill offering at this concert will benefit the Sewickley Food Pantry, and gifts of money or dry/paper/canned goods and toiletries are welcome. A representative of the food pantry will be present.

St. James Church is located at 200 Walnut St. in Sewickley. For more information, call 412-741-6650.

Turkey Trot

Registration is open for Sewickley Valley YMCA’s annual Turkey Trot 5K Run/Walk on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 25.

A joint project of Heritage Valley Health System Foundation and Sewickley Valley YMCA, proceeds benefit the YMCA’s Faith in Action program. Register by Nov. 1 to receive a long-sleeve Turkey Trot shirt.

Train for the Turkey Trot by signing up for the Leetsdale Snowflake Classic, which takes place Nov. 6 at Henle Park.

To register for either race, visit runsignup.com.

Beth Samuel Jewish Center

Upcoming programs at Beth Samuel Jewish Center include:

• BSBJ’s Book Club presents an author talk with Elisa Udaskin on her book, “Be A Mensch: Unleash Your Power to Be Kind and Help Others” on Zoom, 7 p.m. Oct. 12.

• Torah Yoga and Medication class on Zoom, 8:45 a.m. Oct. 16.

Email BethSamuelOffice@comcast.net for more information or for Zoom log-in links when necessary.

Sewickley UMC Luncheon

The Sewickley United Methodist Church, 337 Broad St., is hosting its popular monthly luncheon in person or as take-out 11 a.m.- 12:30 p.m. Oct. 7, in the church’s social hall. The menu is choice of sandwich, pulled pork or kielbasa with sauerkraut; pierogies with onions and butter; homemade applesauce, and carrot cake all for $10. For more information, call the church at 412-741-9430.

Greater Pittsburgh Business Connection

The Greater Pittsburgh Business Connection, a referral group of business professionals, will meet Oct. 13 at the Eat N’ Park on Route 60 in Robinson Township for breakfast from 7:15 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. Speakers will be Brian Joeberle, Esq., and Bill Paviol of ADT Security Systems.

To attend, become a member or for more information, visitgpbc-pgh.org or call 412-364-6446 ext. 302.

Craft show

Little Hill United Methodist Church, 2350 Magee Road Ext. in Sewickley/Franklin Park, will sponsor a Craft Fair from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Oct. 9. There will be many vendors, food and basket raffles.