AMLE names Dorseyville Pa.’s first School of Distinction

Dorseyville Middle School has been recognized among 17 schools nationwide as a 2024 School of Distinction by the Association for Middle Level Education.

AMLE, an international membership organization, recognizes exemplary middle schools, while supporting them through a process of strategic vision-setting to help foster ongoing growth and success.

Dorseyville is the first school in Pennsylvania to be named a School of Distinction. Dr. Laura Miller, the school’s program principal, spearheaded the application process.

“I am so proud that Dorseyville Middle School is the first school in Pennsylvania to receive this recognition,” Miller said. “The evaluation team found in the Dorseyville Middle School community what we see every day — the great work that our students, staff and entire school community does to make Dorseyville Middle School a great place for students.”

Dorseyville Middle School will be recognized and give a presentation about its exemplary practices in November during AMLE’s 51st annual conference for middle level education in Nashville.

Youth Skoot opens trail to new riders of scooters, balance bikes

Youngsters and their families are invited to a Youth Skoot event from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 17 at the Three Rivers Heritage Trail in Allegheny RiverTrail Park, 285 River Ave., Aspinwall.

There will be designated trail space for children who are learning to ride a scooter or a balance bike, which has no pedals.

School supplies being collected

O’Hara Township is collecting school supplies through Aug. 22 for students in the Fox Chapel Area School District.

A donation box is located in the lobby of the township building, 325 Fox Chapel Road.

Items needed include notebooks, pencils, highlighters, crayons, markers, erasers, rulers, scissors, glue sticks, pencil cases, backpacks, graph paper, graphing calculators, plastic folders, index cards, loose-leaf paper, three-ring binders, washable markers, black or blue ballpoint pens, colored pencils, construction paper, blunt-tipped scissors and lunch boxes or bags.

For questions, contact Jalen Byrd, the township’s social services coordinator, at jbyrd@ohara.pa.us.

^

National Night Out in Blawnox reset for this Tuesday

Blawnox’s National Night Out has been rescheduled for 6 to 8 p.m. Aug. 13 in Blawnox Community Park.

It was canceled the previous Tuesday because of inclement weather.

Among the activities planned are ice cream with a cop, a children’s bike helmet and bike giveaway, car seat checks, fresh produce giveaway, explore fire trucks, games, music and more. Attendees also can visit with their local responders and fire firefighters.

A dog walk will start at 6 p.m. at Lewis Avenue and Fountain Street. Dogs are not required to join in, but friends are welcome.

Community sponsors include The Black Canary coffee shop and Rob Strohm of Coldwell Banker Realty.

Passerby thwarts robbery at Sharpsburg Dollar General, mayor says

A passerby helped to thwart a robbery Aug. 5 at the Dollar General in Sharpsburg, Mayor Kayla Portis said.

Police responded shortly before 4 p.m. to a report of a robbery at the store in the 1800 block of Main Street, Portis said.

A suspect ran with a duffel bag filled with items from the store but was stopped by the passerby. The man suspected of the robbery attempted to assault the passerby with a knife but didn’t hurt the person, the mayor said.

The man was arrested and taken to Allegheny County Jail. His name was not released by the mayor.

Democratic committees plan free picnic for community

A Dogs & Democracy Picnic is planned from 2 to 5 p.m. Aug. 25 at O’Hara Township Community Park.

Admission and hot dogs are free. There will be games and children’s activities.

The event is hosted by Fox Chapel, O’Hara, Indiana Township and Aspinwall Democratic committees.

For details, visit dogsanddemocracy.eventbrite.com.

Sharpsburg flea market runs Sundays through October

Sharpsburg Community Flea Market is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sundays through the end of October along North Canal and Tenth streets.

The cost is $5 per spot for vendors.

For details, call Chas Smith at 412-927-9221.

Boardwalk in the ’Burgh open to all veterans

The VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System is planning a Boardwalk in the ’Burgh event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 16 at the H.J. Heinz III VA Medical Center, 1010 Delafield Road, O’Hara.

Veterans and their families are invited to learn about VA programs, benefits and services.

The event will kick off with a ribbon-cutting at 10 a.m. for the new Center for Whole Health and Wellness.

There will be free hot dogs, chips and refreshments; games such as cornhole and a dunk tank featuring VA staff; live entertainment by Richard “Doc” Mondak of Rust Bucket; and fresh produce available for purchase.

In addition, veterans with a service-connected disability who were separated from the military under other than honorable conditions, through an administrative discharge or by special court martial, will be able to meet with a VBA representative to check their eligibility for VA benefits and health care under a recent rule change.

Disability celebration planned at Schenley Plaza

Disability Pride PA is partnering with the Pittsburgh community for its third annual Disability Pride celebration from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 24 at Schenley Plaza, 4100 Forbes Ave.

The event, which is free and open to the public, celebrates the 34th anniversary of the Americans With Disabilities Act.

There will be entertainment, giveaways, activities, advocacy, resource tables and a variety of vendors and food trucks.

The festivities will begin at 11 a.m. with stage performances and a parade around Schenley Plaza. The keynote speaker will be disability rights leader Josie Badger.

Stage performances include comedian Gab Bonesso, musician Ryan Gilfillian and Friends of Tom Band, children’s entertainer Miss Cassidy Creates and poetry from the Live/Ability project.

There also will be accessible games and activities sponsored by the Ryan Shazier Fund and a sensory-friendly space sponsored by the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh. The National ADA Disability Caravan will be on-site with voting information and story collecting.

To register or volunteer for the event, visit tinyurl.com/PGHVolunteer.

Anyone who needs disability accommodations, including a tactile ASL interpreter, are encouraged to register in advance at tinyurl.com/dppgh2024.

Masks are encouraged.

For details, visit disabilitypridepa.org/dp-pgh.

Celebration of Recovery set; game room opening soon

Addiction Recovery Ministry invites the community to its third annual Celebration of Recovery from 6 to 9 p.m. Sept. 21 at the John Paul I Center, 201 Ninth St. in Sharpsburg.

The legacy of the Rev. Michael Decewicz, who died in November at 72, will be celebrated. Decewicz, a recovering alcoholic, founded Addiction Recovery Ministry and served as its director.

There will be music, art and light refreshments.

To RSVP by Sept. 10, call Rosemarie Haas at 412-378-9290.

In addition, the ministry has announced the Sept. 27 opening of the Michael Decewicz Sober Game Room for people in recovery.

The game room will be open from 7 to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays at the John Paul I Center.

Chamber plans golf fundraiser

The Aspinwall Chamber of Commerce is organizing its 11th annual golf outing Sept. 6 at 3 Lakes Golf Course, 6700 Saltsburg Road in Penn Hills.

The cost is $125 per golfer and includes a golf cart, lunch and dinner, and beverages served with meals.

The cost for the dinner only is $40.

The outing raises money for annual community events.

Registration runs from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m., with tee off at 10 a.m. The format is full-course shotgun, with lunch at the turn. Dinner will be served at 3 p.m.

Prizes will be awarded, including for the longest drive and closest to the pin.

For details, call Tom Kingsley at 412-860-4533.

Aspinwall to inventory water lines

Per a requirement by the state Department of Environmental Protection, Aspinwall must complete a boroughwide water line inventory by Sept. 30.

Personnel from the water department must be able to access property owners’ water meters to investigate the pipe material entering the property from the outside.

To schedule an appointment, property owners should contact the borough office at 412-781-0213.

Help available for people grieving loved ones

Are you grieving the loss of a loved one or know someone who is?

Consider joining GriefShare for hope, healing and guidance.

GriefShare is a 13-week Christian faith-based support group that will be offered weekly from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Thursdays, starting Sept. 12 through Dec. 12, at Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church, 384 Fox Chapel Road.

For details or questions, contact Kim Power at 412-965-8794 or kimfpower@gmail.com.

Visit griefshare.org/findagroup to register directly.

Pantry items wanted

Sharpsburg Community Library needs items for its Little Free Pantry at 1212 Main St.

Items needed include tomato sauce, pasta, tuna, cereal, mac and cheese, fruit snacks, peanut butter, snack packs and shelf-stable milk.

Items not needed include applesauce, pretzels, fruit cups, pudding, canned soup, canned beans and toiletry products.

Donations can be made during library hours from 1 to 7 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1 to 5 p.m. Fridays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays.

The pantry is stocked three times weekly and is completely supported through donations.

For details, call the library at 412-781-0783.

‘Wonka’ to be shown in O’Hara park

O’Hara is hosting a Movie in the Park at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 20 in O’Hara Township Community Park.

The PG-13 movie “Wonka” will be screened. Admission is free.

Craft night planned in Blawnox

Best of Blawnox hosts a craft night every Monday throughout the summer from 6 to 8 p.m. at the pavilion in Blawnox Community Park.

People are encouraged to bring supplies for knitting, scrapbooking, embroidery and more. No registration is necessary.

Free monthly musical performance open to community

The free Thursdays on the Patio event this month will be from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Aug. 15 at Lauri Ann West Community Center, 1220 Powers Run Road.

The concert, in partnership with Band Together Pittsburgh, will feature Angelina Angelcyk & Kiara Smith Acoustic.

Attendees are invited to bring wine or other beverages and spend a warm evening listening to live music on the center’s patio. Bring your own chair. In case of inclement weather or extreme heat, the event will move indoors.

Snacks will be available for purchase at the center’s Aspinwall Everyday Gourmet.

The event is free, but registration is required.

To register, visit lauriannwestcc.org.

Summer Reading Party planned at Allegheny RiverTrail Park

The Cooper-Siegel and Sharpsburg community libraries will be closed Aug. 17 to take the fun off-site at Allegheny RiverTrail Park in Aspinwall.

Families are invited to attend the joint 2024 Summer Reading Party from 3 to 5 p.m. at the park, 285 River Ave.

There will be free food, activities, performances and more for children of all ages.

Registration is required.

To register, call Cooper-Siegel at 412-828-9520 or Sharpsburg Community Library at 412-781-0783. Attendees also can register online coopersiegelcommunitylibrary.org by clicking on the event under the events calendar.

Flea market set Sundays through October in Sharpsburg

The Sharpsburg Community Flea Market is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sundays through the end of October along North Canal Street from the Guyasuta statue to Bonaventura Way.

The cost is $5 per spot for vendors.

For details, call 412-927-9221.

Don’t miss upcoming free entertainment at Hartwood Acres

The Allegheny County Summer Concert Series is in full swing at the Hartwood Acres Amphitheater, 4070 Middle Road.

The concerts are free and take place rain or shine. All performances start at 7:30 p.m. Sundays, with local food trucks set up on-site at 6 p.m.

Here is the remaining lineup at Hartwood Acres:

Aug. 18: MAGIC!

Aug. 25: Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre

Sept. 1: 24th annual Allegheny County Music Festival

The music festival, starting at 7:30 p.m., will feature two-time Tony Award-winner Michael Cerveris singing the songs of David Bowie backed by a Pittsburgh All-Star band with special guests Scott Blasey and Rob James of The Clarks.

For the festival, a $20-per-vehicle requested donation supports requests made through the Department of Human Services and the Juvenile Section of the Family Division of the Court of Common Pleas. Since 2000, the music festival has raised nearly $550,000 for the Allegheny County Music Festival Fund.

Donations, volunteers needed for Harvest Fair

Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church is seeking donations and volunteers for its Harvest Fair, scheduled Sept. 5-6.

Most home furnishings and clothes are accepted. Exceptions are mattresses, bed pillows, text books and encyclopedias.

Clothing and shoes should be in good condition and clean. Furniture pickup is available.

Drop-offs can be made from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays.

People should come to the Springhouse Lane side of the church.

The committee also is looking for volunteers to help sort donations and prepare them.

The huge affair requires lots of hands.

Proceeds benefit local charities such as the Youth Empowerment Project of Sharpsburg, women’s and children’s health organizations and shelters and food banks.

For details, call 412-576-8898.

Sharpsburg seeks volunteers for bicentennial events

Sharpsburg will celebrate its 200th birthday in 2026.

Residents interested in planning or volunteering to help with any events are invited to sign up for the borough’s Bicentennial Committee.

To access the signup form, visit sharpsburgborough.com and scanning the QR code under the header “Want to help plan the bicentennial events?”

The borough anticipates having multiple events throughout the anniversary year and will need lots of help.

Tree organization seeks volunteers

The Aspinwall Shade Tree Commission is in need of volunteers.

The environmental group meets at 6:30 p.m. the third Wednesday of the month at the borough building, 217 Commercial Ave.

Those interested in joining should contact the borough office at 412-781-0213 or email Councilwoman Mary Hancock at mhancock.aspinwall@gmail.com.

Group offers support for weight loss

All are welcome to join the men and women at Oakmont TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) who are learning how to lose weight.

With in-person meetings, rewards, support and encouragement, we gain knowledge of healthy eating and exercise.

You may visit with no obligation Tuesdays at 5:45 p.m. at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 1261 Pennsylvania Ave. in Oakmont. Weigh-in is private followed by a brief business meeting, sharing time, and educational program all ending by 7:15.

There is well-lit parking, wheelchair accessibility and security. For details, call 412-828-3854 or e-mail jmjkwj@gmail.com.

Host families sought for upcoming school year

Expand your horizons and learn about a new culture by bringing an exchange student into your family this fall.

AFSUSA, one of the oldest exchange programs in the country, is looking for host families for the coming school year.

Students can stay for a half-year or full year, or you can be a “welcome” family for six weeks.

Students from Spain, France, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Brazil, Thailand and Ghana are hoping to find homes in Western Pennsylvania.

More than 130 countries participate in the program and AFS matches students to families according to their interests and lifestyle.

Students participating in the program come from 140 countries and can be placed with families with children, empty-nesters or single adults.

For details, call Carol Huff at 412-848-8095.

Nominations open for sports hall of fame

Nominations for the Sharpsburg Sports Hall of Fame are being accepted.

Nominations can be for any player, team or team builder such as a coach, equipment manager, broadcaster or someone who made a significant impact on a team. It is open to all sports.

Nominees must have lived in the borough at some point in time.

The Sharpsburg Historical Commission is expecting to induct three individuals and one team to the hall of fame. Nominations will be accepted until Aug. 31, and the induction ceremony will take place in the fall.

For details and nomination forms, visit the borough website at sharpsburgborough.com.

---

Copyright ©2025— Trib Total Media, LLC (TribLIVE.com)

---