Westmoreland happenings: Basket raffle, live Nativity, Christmas concert

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Church news

• Greensburg Church of the Brethren will host a night of fun and fellowship for individuals and groups with developmental disabilities from 5 to 7 p.m. Mondays at the church, 554 Stanton St. Dinner is included. Participants must be accompanied by a family member or caregiver. Donations will be accepted. The church will also distribute food boxes at 8 a.m. Dec. 10 while supplies last on the parking lot side of the church. Details: 724-834-2130 or gbgcob.org.

• Derry First United Methodist Church will have its monthly free ladies lunch at noon Dec. 13 at the church, 311 N. Ligonier St. Public welcome.

Fundraisers

• West Newton First Church of God, 157 N. Second St., will sponsor its fourth annual Christmas Cookie Walk from 10 a.m. to noon Dec. 10 at the church. Cost: $9 per pound of cookies; peanut butter balls, $7 per dozen.

• Community Church of Hecla, 537 Hecla Road, Mt. Pleasant Township, will host a turkey dinner from 4 to 7 p.m. Dec. 10 at the church. Dine in or takeout. Details and takeout orders: 724-396-8065 or 724-244-2586.

• Mon Valley Paws will sponsor Photos with Santa Paws from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Dec. 10 at Pet Supplies Plus, 120 Sara Way, Rostraver. Bring your pet for a photo with Santa. Cost: $7, will benefit Mon Valley Paws. Details: Randy, 724-493-8305.

• A basket and cash bingo will be at 2 p.m. at Dec. 11 at Community Church of Hecla, 537 Hecla Road, Mt. Pleasant Township. Doors open at 1 p.m. A light lunch will be available. Details: 724-396-8065 or 724-244-2586.

• A basket raffle to benefit The Bethlehem Project, a housing ministry of Blessed Sacrament Cathedral Parish, Greensburg, will be at 12:30 p.m. Dec. 11 in the cathedral social hall, 300 N. Main St. The theme is, “The 12 Baskets of Christmas,” and will feature 12 holiday-themed baskets. Winner need not be present. Tickets: $10 each. Details: Katie Zuzik, 724-834-3710 or kzuzik@diocesofgreensburg.org.

Health

• Alcoholics Anonymous meets at 6 p.m. Wednesdays at Union Presbyterian Church, 656 Route 380, Washington Township.

• Laurelville Retreat Center, 941 Laurelville Lane, Mt. Pleasant Township, will host a Yule yoga class at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 12 at the center meetinghouse. Must be at least 12 to participate. Bring a mat and a cozy blanket or throw. Hot herbal tea will be served. Beginners welcome. Cost: $15. Reservations required. Reservations: tinyurl.com/YuleYogaDec12.

Holiday events

• An outdoor live Nativity will be from 4:30 to 8 p.m. Dec. 9 on the grounds of St. James Church, 306 St. James Lane, New Alexandria. This is a walk-thru event with live animals. Lessons and carols will be performed every 45 minutes and refreshments will be served. Details: 724-668-2829.

• An eclectic group of vendors and crafterswill sell a variety of gifts from noon to 4 p.m. Dec. 11 at the Bushy Run Christmas Market, held at the historic battlefield site along Route 993 in Penn Township. Soaps, candles, copper, tinware, colonial clothing, wooden flags, trains and crystal jewelry will be available for sale, as well as baked goods, wine, distilled spirits and mead, maple syrup and honey from local farms. The Edge Hill Gift Shop at the museum will feature books and colonial wooden toys and musical instruments. The event is sponsored by the nonprofit Bushy Run Battlefield Heritage Society, which operates the museum at the 1763 battlefield site east of Harrison City.

• Herminie Center for Active Adults will host a meet-and-greet with Santa from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 Dec. 11 at the center, 101 Sewickley Ave. Registered children 15 and younger will receive a free goody bag. Bingo will begin at 1 p.m. Cost: $10, 16 and older; $5, 15 and younger. Hot dogs and kraut, chili and nacho cheese will be sold. Reservations for children: 724-446-3282.

• West Newton Public Library will offer a free screening of the movie, “Mickey’s Christmas Carol,” from 1 to 3 p.m. Dec. 18 in LeGrande Ballroom, 109 S. Second St. Lunch will be served and there will be activities and crafts. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Reservations required. Reservations: Gary’s Chuckwagon, 724-872-8920.

Meetings

• The Braddock Trail chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution will meet Dec. 10 at the chapter house, 200 S. Church St., Mt. Pleasant. Lunch will be served at noon and the meeting will begin at 1 p.m. Carl Patty from the Murrysville Historical Society will be the guest speaker.

• South Hills Coin Club will meet at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 13 at the Bethel Park Municipal Building, 5100 W. Library Ave. This will be annual Christmas party. There will be a 50/50 raffle and prizes for children. Public welcome. Membership applications are being accepted. Details: 724-984-6611.

• Retirees and former employees of Commercial Bank and Trust of Pennsylvania will meet for lunch at 11:30 a.m. Dec. 14 at Lakeview, Route 30, Hempfield. Reservations required. Reservations: Mary Ann, 724-537-7894.

• Level Green Seniors will have their Christmas party at 11 a.m. Dec. 15 at the Level Green Lions Community Building, 123 Murrysville Road. A catered lunch will be served. Cost: $5; non-members, $10, payable in advance. Reservations and details: Mary, 412-372-5422.

Music

• The Kiski Valley Community Band will present a concert of Christmas and holiday music at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 10 at Christ Lutheran Church, 5330 Old Logans Ferry Road, Murrysville. Donations will be accepted to benefit local food banks.

• The Sacred Music Choir will perform a concert of Christmas choral, instrumental and organ music at 3 p.m. Dec. 10 at Brush Creek Salem United Church of Christ, 113 Altar Lane, Irwin. A reception will be afterward. Donations will be accepted.