Westmoreland happenings: Community baby shower, golf scramble, vacation Bible school, more

Church news

• Bethel Lutheran Church, 647 Bethel Church Road, Cook Township, will host a vacation Bible school from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays July 8, 16, 23 and 30 for all members of the family at the church. A light supper will be served each night and there will be a skit to introduce the theme for the evening, music and an intergenerational craft. No reservations required.

• Greensburg Church of the Brethren hosts 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., Southwest Greensburg. Dinner is included. Participants must be accompanied by a family member or caregiver. Donations will be accepted. Details: 724-834-2130 or gbgcob.org.

Class

• Cook Township Community Center will sponsor a free Introduction to Karate class for all ages at 6 p.m. July 18 at the center, 1698 Route 711. Reservations requested, but walk-ins welcome. Reservations: 724-593-7471.

Fundraisers

• A golf scramble to benefit Westmoreland Community Action will be Aug. 8 at Latrobe Country Club, 346 Arnold Palmer Drive. The shotgun start will be at 9 a.m. Cost: $200 per person, includes cart, light breakfast, beverages and lunch. There will be prizes, skill contests and a special Arnold Palmer memorabilia presentation. Sponsorship opportunities are available. Reservations: Lexi Womer, lwomer@westmorelandca.org.

• The Rosary Altar Society of St. James Parish, New Alexandria, will host a community baby shower to benefit Catholic Charities from noon to 3 p.m. July 19 in the church social hall, 306 St. James Lane. Lunch and refreshments will be served. Admission is a donation of newborn clothing, diaper bags, newborn and size 5 to 7 diapers, Pullups, diaper wipes and size 2T girls spring and summer clothing. Checks made out to Catholic Charities also will be accepted. Reservations required by July 13. Questions: parish office, 724-668-2829. Reservations: call or text 724-787-2240.

• Westmoreland Garden Council will sponsor a garden tour, “A Day in the Tropics,” from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 19 at the homes of local gardeners. Cost: $25 in advance; will be $30 the day of the event. Tickets: stop in from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at the garden council, 951 Old Salem Road, Greensburg. Details: 724-837-0245.

• Community Church of Hecla, 537 Hecla Road, Mt. Pleasant Township, will host a turkey dinner from 4 to 7 p.m. July 12 at the church. Dine in or takeout. Details and takeout orders: 724-516-0494 or 724-466-2855.

• E C Cruisers Car Club will host a car cruise from 5 to 9 p.m. July 11 at Bruster’s Ice Cream, 604 S. Center Ave., New Stanton. Rain or shine. There will be a DJ, dash plaques and door prizes. Vehicle registration:$5. Details: eccruisers.org.

Health

• An American Red Cross community blood drive will be from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 15 at Regional Family YMCA of the Laurel Highlands, 490 Bessemer Road, East Huntingdon. Appointments recommended, but walk-ins are welcome. Appointments: 800-733-2767 or redcrossblood.org.

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

History

• Baltzer Meyer Historical Society will sponsor a program “Metaphysics and the Paranormal: The Science Behind the Haunt,” from 6 to 8 p.m. July 12 at Harrold Hall, 642 Baltzer Meyer Pike, Hempfield. Jay Blackburn will be the speaker.

Meetings

• South Hills Coin Club will meet at 7:30 p.m. July 8 at the Bethel Park Municipal Building, 5100 W. Library Ave. There will be a 50-50 raffle and prizes for children. The program will be the summer pizza party celebrating the club’s 65^th anniversary. Public welcome. Membership applications are being accepted. Details: 724-984-6611.

• A small group of chess and backgammon players gathers Sunday nights at Barnes & Noble, 5155 Route 30, Hempfield. New players of all experience levels are welcome. No cost. Details: 301-928-3593 or 757-624-4350.

Senior citizens news

• Irwin Senior Activity Center, 310 Oak St., will offer a self-defense program at 10 a.m. July 8. A nutrition program will be at 11:30 a.m. July 10. Registration for events and lunch required at least one day in advance. Donations are accepted for all activities. Details: 724-787-1760.

Special events

• Community Revitalization of West Newton (CROWN) will host its free Chalk the Park event at 7 p.m. July 19 in the borough Vine Street Park. Reservations required. Reservations: email the parent’s name, address and number of children to crown15089@yahoo.com.

• Mon Valley Paws will sponsor a memorial mile for those who were affected by the Eternity Pet Memorials case at 8:30 a.m. July 12 at the Divirgilio Sports Complex, 120 Recreation Drive, Rostraver. Check-in will be at 7:30 a.m. Details: 724-314-6571.

• Westmoreland County Pollinators will sponsor a free program Garden Gaze Days, from 9 a.m. to noon July 13 at the following locations: West Overton Village and Museum, 109 W. Overton Road, East Huntingdon; First Street in Smithton; and Laurelville Retreat Center, 941 Laurelville Lane, Mt. Pleasant Township. Learn about pollinators and native plants. Details: visit Westmoreland Pollinator Partners on Facebook.

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