Westmoreland happenings: church services, fish fries and gift basket bash

Church news

• An Ash Wednesday service will be at 7 p.m. March 2 at West Newton First Church of God, 157 N. Second St. Toothpaste and toothbrushes will be collected for the food bank at the March 6 service.

• A World Day of Prayer service will be at 11 a.m. March 4 at West Newton United Presbyterian Church, 411 E Main St. A light lunch will be served afterward.

• St. James Church, New Alexandria, will offer a Lenten Young Adult and Adult Education Formation series from 6 to 7 p.m. Tuesdays March 8 to 29 in the church social hall, 306 St. James Lane. Childcare for young children will be available by reservation. For childcare, send an email to cbailey@dioceseofgreensburg.org. Details: 724-668-2829.

Fish Fries

• West Newton Lions Club, 511 Pittsburgh St., will host a takeout fish fry from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. March 2. Menu: fried Alaskan cod sandwich platter, $13, includes two sides. fish sandwich only, $9; six pierogi with coleslaw, $13; desserts and beverages. Sides: macaroni and cheese, potato soup, haluski and coleslaw. Park in back, enter to pay and pickup at the rear entrance. Cash only. Advance orders welcome. Orders: 724-972-3779 or 724-872-8853.

• St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, 901 Hartman St., McKeesport, will have a takeout fish fry from 2 to 6 p.m. Fridays in March at the church. Menu: fried or baked fish sandwich, $12; Serbian coleslaw, fries, haluski, macaroni and cheese, Spanish rice, palachinka, apple strudel and more. Advance orders or walk-ins accepted. Orders: 412-469-2955, Sundays through Wednesdays, payment by credit card required.

Fundraisers

• Greensburg Church of the Brethren will sponsor a soup and sandwich sale from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 26 at the church, 554 Stanton St. Menu: hot dogs, hot sausage and kielbasa, $4; soup, $5 per quart. Proceeds will be used to feed the hungry. Details: 724-834-2130.

• An all-you-can-eat omelet breakfast will be from 8 a.m. to noon Feb. 27 at St. Pius X Church social hall, Summit Street, Mt. Pleasant. Cost: $8; age 3 to 11, $3, younger than 3, free. Dine in or takeout. There will be a 50/50 raffle. Sponsored by the church Holy Name Society.

• A gift basket bash to benefit West Newton Library will be from noon to 4 p.m. March 13 at Turkeytown Firehall, 90 Supervisors Drive, South Huntingdon. Doors open at 11 a.m. Admission: $15, includes a light lunch and 25 tickets for the general raffle. Tickets: west-newton-library.ticketleap.com, at Gary’s Chuck Wagon Restaurant or at the library. There will be over 100 gift baskets, a President’s Choice basket raffle, 50/50 raffle, games of chance and tip board prizes. Guests may bring snacks and beverages. Masks optional. Tickets: 724-633-0798.

• The 14^th annual Race for Grace to benefit the Reflections of Grace Foundation will be April 9 at Norwin High School, North Huntingdon. Opening activities start at 7 a.m. and the race begins at 9. Indoor activities after the race will include games, dance performances, a basket raffle, silent auction, charitable hair donations and awards ceremony. Reflections of Grace Foundation provides financial, emotional and educational support to children and their families affected by pediatric brain cancer. Details: reflectionsofgrace.org.

Meetings

• Greensburg Garden Center will meet at 11 a.m. March 1 at the center, 951 Old Salem Road. Mark Miller from Pittsburgh Botanic Gardens will be the guest speaker. Lunch will be served. Bring a friend. Details: 724-837-0245.

• Super Seniors of Westmoreland County will meet at noon March 1 at Community United Methodist Church, 3487 Route 130, Trafford. Attorney Ryan Dansak will discuss estate planning. Lunch: $6. Lunch reservations required for new attendees. Bring a mask just in case. Reservations: Linda Briggs, 724-744-3993.

Community project

• The Scottdale Heroes Hometown Banner Program is accepting applications through Feb. 28 for banners to honor veterans, current military, first responders and community contributors that will be displayed on poles in the borough. Applications: Larry Keslar, 724-961-2176; scottdaleonline.com or stop in at King’s Antiques, 209 Pittsburgh St.

Submissions from nonprofit organizations for Briefly Speaking can be emailed to cpinto-smith@triblive.com. Include a complete address and daytime phone number. Submissions are due at least two weeks prior to the event. Each announcement is printed once; there is no fee.