Westmoreland happenings: Halloween Hottenanny, pet blessing, Wicked Witches Gala, more

Church news

• St. James Church, New Alexandria, will have a pet blessing service at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 4, in the church parking lot, 306 St. James Lane. Details: 724-668-2829.

Fundraisers

• Mon Valley Paws will sponsor a golf ball drop at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 4, at Monessen High School, State Road. Rain or shine. Cost: $5 each. Details: 724-493-8305.

• A craft show will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4, at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, 200 Leger Road, North Huntingdon. There will be food and a raffle of items donated by the vendors.

• St. Bartholomew Church will have its monthly Las Vegas bingo Friday, Oct. 3, in the church Marian Hall, 2538 Route 119, Crabtree. Doors open at 5 p.m. and early birds start at 6:30 p.m. Food will be sold by Super Dawgs. Admission: $35, includes specials with over $8,000 in prizes.

• Lincoln Heights Civic Association will have bingo from 1 to 3 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 2, at the center, 42 Millersdale Road, Hempfield. There will be 20 regular games and five quickies. Payout is 50-50. Free coffee. Cost: 25 cents for a three-card board; $1 for quickies.

• Jazz and Motown singer Gail Macioce will perform a benefit concert at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct 4, at the Irwin Senior Activity Center, 310 Oak St. Lunch will be available at 11:30 a.m. Cost: $5 at the door will benefit the center. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-787-1760.

Halloween events

• Friends of Derry will sponsor a Halloween Hootenanny at 5 p.m. Oct. 31 in Derry Community Park. The free family-friendly event will include a trick-or-treat trail, food trucks, vendors and a classic Halloween film at dusk. Local businesses, individuals and groups are welcome to have a free booth and give out candy. Candy and monetary donations welcome. Checks made out to Friends of Derry can be mailed to P.O. Box 10, Derry, PA 15627.

• The Greensburg Business & Professional Association will host a Wicked Witches Gala from 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4, on South Pennsylvania Avenue in downtown Greensburg. There will be dancing, a bazaar, a self-guided haunted history tour; hat, costume and cackle contests and music by the HiDef Band. Details: shopgreensburgpa.com.

Meetings

• The Botanical Society of Westmoreland County will meet at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 1, at the Westmoreland Conservation District Barn, 218 Donohoe Road, Hempfield. Forester Tony Quadro will discuss forest ecology. Light refreshments will be served afterward. Annual dues of $15 per household or $10 per person will be collected. Dues for Westmoreland County students in elementary, middle or high school or college are free.

Nature

• The Westmoreland Woodlands Improvement Association along with the Westmoreland Land Trust will sponsor the annual free Walk in Penn’s Woods from 1 to 3 p.m. Oct. 5 at the Otto & Magdalena Ackermann Nature Preserve, 13260 Ardara Road, North Huntingdon. Rain or shine. The walk will begin on level ground of a right of way, then progress up and down hilly terrain. Parking is limited and carpooling is encouraged. There is no wheelchair access, potable water or restroom facilities. Reservations required by Wednesday, Oct. 1. Reservations: jandd.hilewick@gmail.com.

Senior citizen news

• Irwin Senior Activity Center, 310 Oak St., will celebrate National Pumpkin Spice Day on Wednesday, Oct. 1. An ice cream social and bingo will be at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 2. Registration for events and lunch required at least one day in advance. Donations are accepted for all activities. Details: 724-787-1760.

• North Huntingdon AARP will meet at noon Thursday, Oct. 2, in Mack Hall, 200 Leger Road. Gas House Annie will perform a variety of songs from Patsy Cline to Jimi Hendrix. Light refreshments will be available. All senior citizens welcome. Details: Call or text 412-841-3528.

Seminar

• The Westmoreland Bar Foundation will sponsor a free seminar, “Elder Law Mistakes and Myths” from 10 a.m. to noon Oct. 7 at the Westmoreland Museum of American Art, 221 N. Main St., Greensburg. Topics will include wills, trusts and common medical assistance mistakes. Onsite parking is available. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-834-6730 or anna.joyner@westbar.org.

Veterans news

• A veterans service officer will be available to discuss Veterans Affairs benefits from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 30, at the Donegal American Legion, 3812 Route 31. Veterans, spouses and widows from all counties welcome. No appointment required. Details: Ron, 724-830-3532.

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