Westmoreland happenings: Antiques and collectibles sale, art exhibit, Mother's Day breakfast, more

Art

• Barbara L. Jones, retired chief curator of the Westmoreland Museum of American Art, will be the speaker at a free lecture at 7 p.m. May 13 at the Greensburg Art Center, 230 Todd School Road, Hempfield. Jones will give behind-the-scenes look at some of the many exhibits that were featured at the museum during her tenure. The public is welcome.

Fundraisers

• Jeannette Knights of Columbus hosts bingo at 7 p.m. Fridays in Mersinger Hall at Ascension Church, 615 Division St., Jeannette. Doors open at 6 p.m. and early birds begin at 6:30 p.m. Players younger than 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Smoke-free venue. Food will be available and there will be a 50-50 and instant bingos. Details: 724-523-9244.

• Mt. Pleasant Veterans of Foreign Wars will have a Mother’s Day breakfast from 9 a.m. to noon May 11 at the post, 416 W. Main St. Menu: pancakes, sausage, scrambled eggs, juice, coffee and water. Cost: $10; age 4 to 12, $5; 3 and younger, free. This will be the last breakfast until fall. Proceeds benefit local veterans and the community.

• A fundraiser to benefit Mon Valley Paws will be from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. May 11 at River House Café, 506 McKean Ave., Charleroi. There will be a basket auction and 50-50. Bring a pet food donation for a chance for the basket raffle.

• Community Church of Hecla, 537 Hecla Road, Mt. Pleasant Township, will host a turkey dinner from 4 to 7 p.m. May 11 at the church. Dine in or takeout. Details and takeout orders: 724-516-0494 or 724-466-2855.

• Historic Hanna’s Town will host its first antiques and collectibles sale of the season May 12 at 809 Forbes Trail Road, Hempfield. Some vendors will be set up by 1 p.m. May 11 and the rest will be open from 7:30 a.m. until early afternoon May 12. The sale takes place the second Sunday of each month through October. Vendor spaces: $40 for a 28x20-foot space. Admission: $5 per car. Parking revenues benefit the Forbes Road Volunteer Fire Department and Westmoreland Historical Society. Details: 724-352-1935 or westmorelandhistory.org.

Health

• District 30 Masonic Lodges will host a Vitalant community blood drive from 1 to 6 p.m. May 16 at the Greensburg Masonic Center, 349 Donohoe Road, Hempfield. Donors will be eligible to win a gift card. Appointments recommended, but walk-ins are welcome. Appointments: call 877-258-4825 or visit Vitalant.org and search with account code UC2210049.

Meetings

• The Westmoreland County/Laurel Highlands chapter of the American Field Service high school student exchange program will say goodbye to this year’s students at the 7 p.m. May 13 meeting at the One Room Schoolhouse, on the grounds of AK Hutchinson Elementary School, 810 Welty St., Southwest Greensburg. Students from Poland and Taiwan will discuss their countries. Host families are needed for the 2024-25 school year. Be a welcome family for nine weeks, host for a semester or the school year. Public welcome. Details: Dar Frederickson, 724-787-8863 or darfrederick@aol.com.

• The Braddock Trail chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution will meet May 11 at the chapter house, 200 S. Church St., Mt. Pleasant. Lunch will be at noon and the meeting will be at 1 p.m. The program will be about the veterans and memorial service.

Nature

• Westmoreland Woodlands Improvement Association will host a talk at 7 p.m. May 16 in the J. Roy Houston Conservation Center, 218 Donohoe Road, Hempfield. Scott Stoleson, a retired research ecologist with the U.S. Forest Service’s Northern Research Station in Warren, will discuss how to manage woodlands for birds and wildlife. A social will be at 6:30 p.m. Public welcome. Reservations required by May 14. Cost: $5; free for association members and students with current ID. Reservations: Tammy, 724-837-5271, option 1.

Senior Citizens

• C. J. Johnson, a student at Norwin High School, will present an oldies concert at 1 p.m. May 18 at First United Methodist Church, 310 Oak St., Irwin. Please use the alley entrance with ramp access. Refreshments will be served afterward. Free parking is available in the lower lot of the old IC school. Reservations required: 724-787-1760 or stop in at the Irwin Senior Activity Center.

Veterans News

• A veterans service officer will be available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 15 in the office of state Rep. Jill Cooper, 105 Pfeffer Road, suite 5, Washington Township. Services available will include disability and pension claims, benefit questions, assisting spouses with survivor benefits issues and applications for veterans grants. Appointments will be accepted, but walk-ins are welcome. Appointments: 724-387-9113.

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