Westmoreland happenings: Strawberry festivals, car cruise, stuffed pork chop dinner, more

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Church News

• First Presbyterian Church of Belle Vernon will have its annual Blessing of the Animals at 10 a.m. June 3 on the church lawn, 501 Fayette St., Rostraver. Pets must be on a leash or in a carrier. Dog or cat food and products as well as cash donations will be accepted for a local animal rescue. Details: 724-929-7616.

• West Newton Church of God will have vacation Bible school, “Passport to the Holy Land,” from 6 to 8:30 p.m. June 11 to 15 at the church, 157 N. Second St. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-872-7467.

Fundraisers

• A flea market will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 2 at the Herminie Center for Active Adults, 101 Sewickley Ave., rear, Herminie. Table reservations: $5. Details: 724-446-3282.

• A super bingo will be June 2 at Marian Hall at St. Bartholomew Church, 2538 Route 119, Crabtree. Doors open at 5 p.m. and early birds begin at 6:30 p.m. Admission: $35, and additional packs will be available. Firehouse Subs will be available. The church also has weekly bingo at 6:30 p.m. Sundays in Marian Hall. Details: 724-834-0709.

• Pet Friends will host a save-a-pet car cruise from 2 p.m. to dusk June 3 at Quinn Brewing, 3000 Commerce Loop suite 3200, Irwin. Vehicle registration: $5. Trophies will be awarded and there will be a basket auction, 50/50, vendors, food trucks and DJ Gary Ed. Bring a dog or cat food donation for a chance to win a ticket for the lottery tree.

• A sandwich and salad luncheon will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 3 at Heritage Methodist Church on the Diamond, Ligonier. Menu: pulled pork or chicken salad sandwiches, pasta salad, pretzel salad, pies and beverages. Dine in or takeout. Proceeds will benefit local and global missionaries and mission projects.

• Bullskin Senior Center, 52 Medsger Road, will serve breakfast from 8 to 11 a.m. June 3 at the center. Menu: buckwheat and regular pancakes, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, biscuits with sausage gravy, ham, potatoes, coffee, tea and juice. Cost: $10; 6 to 11, $5; younger than 6, free. Baked goods will be sold.

• A takeout stuffed pork chop dinner to benefit the West Newton First Church of God will be from 4 to 7 p.m. June 3 at Gary’s Chuckwagon, 109 Second St., West Newton. Menu: stuffed pork chop, mashed potatoes, coleslaw, green beans, roll and butter and dessert. Cost: $15. Proceeds will benefit the church mission trip. Tickets: 724-872-8920 or 724-872-7427.

• A Super Christmas in June bingo will begin at 6:45 p.m. June 7 at St. Barbara Parish, 111 Raymaley Road, Harrison City. Doors open at 5 p.m. Cost: $35 in advance; $40 at the door; includes a $1,800 all-nighter game and a $2,000 must-go jackpot. The kitchen will be open and free coffee will be served. The facility is wheelchair accessible. Tickets: 724-561-9834, 724-744-4594 or 724-744-7474.

Health News

• Laurelville Retreat Center will offer pool Zumba water exercise classes at 10:30 a.m. June 9 and 23, July 14 and 28 and Aug. 4 and 18 in the center’s outdoor heated pool, 941 Laurelville Lane, Mt. Pleasant Township. Age 12 and older welcome. Cost: $10 per class or $50 in advance for all six sessions. Details: tinyurl.com/PoolZumba2023.

Library News

• Adams Memorial Library, 1112 Ligonier St., will offer a free program about the Group Against Smog and Pollution (GASP) at 3 p.m. June 7 at the library. GASP works to improve air quality. Reservations required: 724-539-1972 or tinyurl.com/3c4c4cv6.

Meetings

• Westmoreland Area Nurses Association will have its June meeting and covered dish picnic at 4 p.m. June 5 at Harrold Zion Lutheran Church, 671 Baltzer Meyer Pike, Hempfield. Bring a covered dish to share. Meetings for next year will be discussed and voted on. Details: Cordie, 412-841-8529 or beccanme@comcast.net.

• Mon Valley Paws will meet at 6 p.m. June 6 at the Monessen Italian Club, 112 Seventh St. New members welcome. Details: Randy, 724-493-8305.

• Parent Group-Southwestern Local Task Force 1 will meet from 10 a.m. to noon June 8 online. There will be a presentation on special needs by Achieva. All parents of children with disabilities and personnel from agencies and school districts in Washington, Fayette and Greene counties are encouraged to attend. Public welcome. Zoom link information: tami.kite@iu1.org. Details: 724-938-3241, ext. 242 or 222.

Reunions

• Greater Latrobe High School Class of 1978 will have a golf outing June 30 at the Latrobe Elks. A reunion will be July 1 at Live Casino at Westmoreland Mall in Hempfield. Details and invitation: visit Latrobe Class 78 Chat on Facebook.

Special events

• Mammoth Fest at Mammoth Park, Mt. Pleasant Township, will be from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. June 4 on the park lake shore. There will be free parking and admission, a crafts marketplace, music, exotic animal show, food, bingo and carnival rides. An all-day activity pass costs $4 and includes unlimited access to carnival rides, a petting zoo, kiddie train rides, bounce houses, Nerf obstacle course and a rock-climbing wall. The band Americana will play classic country and Americana music from 1 to 3 p.m. at pavilion 11. The Derek Woods Band will present American rock music from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Details: 724-830-3950 or co.westmoreland.pa.us/728/Parks-Recreation.

• Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Greensburg will host a Generous Hearts Family Resource Fair from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 5 in the parking lot at Catholic Charities, 711 E. Pittsburgh St., Greensburg. Free food, clothes, resources and baby supplies will be available. Ultrasounds will be offered by TryLife Center, Lower Burrell; children’s dental cleanings by Golden Onsite Dental and the United Way Bookmobile will be on hand as well as Helen May and her therapy dog, Poppy. Details: 724-837-1840.

Strawberry Festivals

• A strawberry festival to benefit Youngwood Library will be from 4 to 7 p.m. June 2 at Christ United Methodist Church, 100 Lincoln St., Youngwood. Menu: strawberries, ice cream, cake and drink, $8; younger than 12, $4; a la carte hot dog, $2. Sponsored by Youngwood Lions Club.

• Trinity United Church of Christ, Greensburg, will have a strawberry festival from 3 to 6 p.m. June 3 in the church basement, 139 N. Main St. Menu: barbeque sandwich, potato salad, macaroni salad, cake, ice cream, strawberries and beverage. Dine in or takeout. Details: 724-875-3685.

• Community United Presbyterian Church of New Alexandria will have its 65^th annual strawberry festival from 4:30 to 7 p.m. June 3 at the church, 1640 Keystone Park Road. Menu: ham barbeques, hot dog and sauerkraut, potato salad, baked beans, ice cream, strawberries, cake and drinks. There will be a basket raffle.

Veterans News

• Norwin Elks will host a free seminar about medical, compensation and pension, burial and other benefits available to veterans and their dependents with the Westmoreland County Department of Veterans Affairs at 3:30 p.m. June 15 in the upper dining room at the lodge, 135 Elks Lane, Irwin. Veterans service officers will be available to answer questions. Public welcome. Elks membership is not required. Those attending are welcome to attend the Elks spaghetti dinner afterward. Reservations required: 724-392-4555, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays; after hours leave a message with your name and phone number.