Westmoreland happenings: Easter events, Asian music program, summer youth camps, more

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Church news

• Transfiguration of the Lord Church, 353 Bridgeport Road, Mt. Pleasant, will have the following Masses during Holy Week: Palm Sunday, 10:30 a.m.; Holy Thursday, 6:30 p.m.; Good Friday, noon, including Stations of the Cross, blessing of Easter foods will be afterward; Easter Sunday, 10:30 a.m.

• Union Presbyterian Church, 656 Route 380, Washington Township, will have a Palm Sunday service at 11 a.m.; Maundy Thursday service with communion, 7 p.m.; Good Friday, Stations of the Cross with informal walk-thru available any time between 4 and 7 p.m.; Easter sunrise service at 8 a.m. followed by breakfast in the fellowship hall; and 11 a.m. traditional Easter service. Details: 724-337-3042

• Living Word Congregational Church, 2003 Ridge Road, Jeannette, will have Holy Week Prayer and Praise services at 7 p.m. April 3 to 7 at the church.

• Laurelville Retreat Center will host gatherings for students in sixth through 12^th grade from 6 to 8 p.m. Sundays through May 14, with the exception of April 9, Easter Sunday. Each event has games, activities, a short Scripture teaching and snacks. Details: Leah Rittenhouse, 724-423-2056 or leah@laurelville.org.

Dance

• A program of Asian songs and dances will be presented at 1 p.m. April 8 at St. Emma Retreat House, 1001 Harvey Ave., Greensburg. Reservations required due to limited seating. Cost: $10. Tickets: 724-516-5189.

Egg hunts

• Murrysville First United Methodist Church, 3916 Old William Penn Highway, will have an egg hunt from 10 a.m. to noon April 1 in the church. There will be games in the gym afterward.

• An egg hunt will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 1 at Union Presbyterian Church, 656 Route 380, Washington Township. There will be pizza lunch, a story time, and craft. Bring a basket. Details: 724-337-3042.

Fundraisers

• A rummage and bake sale will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 1 at Congruity Presbyterian Church, 136 Fenneltown Road, Salem Township. A $2 bag sale will be at 1 p.m. and lunch will be available. Details: 724-668-7740.

• St. Paul Church, 820 Carbon Road, Hempfield, is collecting jewelry for its trash and treasure sale. Donations will be accepted from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays. Details: 724-834-6880.

• Jeannette American Legion will host a bingo at 1 p.m. April 2 at the post, 109 S. Fifth St. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. Cost: $25 per packet, includes regular and special games. Full extra packets, $15. There will be a $750 jackpot game and 50/50. The kitchen will be open. Proceeds benefit American Legion activities. Details: 724-523-6231.

• St. Bruno Church Rosary Altar Society is accepting space reservations for a spring crafters market set for 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 6 in the church hall, 1715 Poplar St., South Greensburg. Reservations: Beth, balwine7@yahoo.com.

• Herminie Center for Active Adults, 101 Sewickley Ave., rear, will have an its monthly breakfast from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. April 4 at the center. Menu: everything bagel, scrambled eggs, hash brown and sausage patty, $5. Public welcome.

Library News

• West Newton Public Library encourages patrons to return past-due books, DVDs and audio books with no fees or charges no matter the length of time. Items can be put into the drop-off box or at the return desk inside the library, 124 N. Water St. The library will have story times for children of all ages accompanied by a caretaker at 10 a.m. Wednesdays through May 24. Details: 724-633-0798.

Meetings

• Westmoreland Area Nurses Association will meet at 4 p.m. April 3 at The Boulevard Restaurant, 900 Towne Square Drive, Hempfield. Details: Cordie, 412-841-8529.

• Mt. Pleasant American Legion Auxiliary will meet at 6 p.m. April 4 at the post, 752 W. Main St. Lunch can be ordered from the post kitchen menu. Details: Kelly, 724-542-4478.

• The Botanical Society of Westmoreland County will meet at 6 p.m. April 5 in the red Conservation Barn, 218 Donohoe Road, Hempfield. Guest speaker Betsy Aikin, executive director of the Westmoreland Land Trust, will discuss the newly acquired Schwarz Farm in Hempfield. Light refreshments will be served afterward. Annual dues are now payable.

• Greensburg Garden Center will meet at 11 a.m. April 7 at the center, 951 Old Salem Road. Chris Kubiak from the Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania will be the guest speaker. Public welcome.

Senior citizen news

• Herminie Center for Active Adults, 101 Sewickley Ave., rear, will have an Easter party at 11 a.m. April 5 at the center. Menu: stuffed peppers, whipped potatoes, carrot coins, white bread and pudding.There will be a program about scams at noon and a free grocery bingo will be afterward. Reservations required: 724-446-3282.

Special events

• Laurelville Retreat Center, Mt. Pleasant Township, is accepting registrations for summer youth camps. Weeklong day camps for children age 5 to 12 will be available June 18 to July 21. Children may attend up to two weeks. Overnight camps are available. Financial assistance information is available online. Discounts are available to those who register before April 14. Details and registration: 724-423-2056, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays or Laurelville.org.

• Ligonier Valley Writers will host a free workshop on journaling from 1 to 3 p.m. April 15 at Ligonier Valley Library, 120 W. Main St., Ligonier. Jim Busch will be the instructor. No writing experience is required. Reservations required: ligonierlibrary.org.