Westmoreland happenings: Choral concert, Christmas tree sale, Toys for Tots collection, more

Christmas events

• The Lincoln Highway Experience, 3435 Route 30, Unity Township, will host a free holiday open house featuring the Westmoreland Symphonic Orchestra Quartet from 5 to 8 p.m. Dec. 8. There will be hot chocolate, coffee and cookies in the restored 1938 diner and unique holiday gifts by local artisans. No reservations required. Details: Lauren Koker, 724-879-4241.

• West Newton Community Singers will perform a Christmas concert at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 10 in First Presbyterian Church, 411 E. Main St., West Newton. Tickets: Gary’s Chuckwagon Restaurant, from any member or at the door.

• Union Presbyterian Church, 656 Route 380, Washington Township, will host a drive-thru Nativity from 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 12 at the church. Details: 724-337-3042.

• The Harff Family’s Musical Christmas Light Show features 22 songs programmed to lights at 1907 Bernice Drive in the Markvue Manor neighborhood of North Huntingdon. Hours: 5:30 to 10 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays, 5:30 to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through Jan. 1. Donations will be accepted for North Huntingdon nonprofit Jamie’s Dream Team, which fulfills the wishes of ill children. Details: jamiesdreamteam.org.

Church news

• Mother of Sorrows Parish, 4202 Old William Penn Highway, Murrysville, offers free monthly lunch and learn sessions for members of the community. This month’s event will be from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 14 in the church social hall. Bring a brown bag lunch. Beverages will be provided. Certified elder law attorney Matthew T. Kitka will discuss, “Elder Law: What Is It and What Do I Need to Know?”

• Derry First United Methodist Church, 311 N. Ligonier St., will host its monthly ladies lunch at noon Dec. 14 at the church. Donations will be accepted. Public welcome.

Fundraisers

• Boy Scout Troop 284 of Irwin is selling 6- to 8-foot Frazier fir Christmas trees from in the Busy Beaver parking lot in Norwin Hills Shopping Center, Route 20, North Huntingdon. Hours: 5 to 9 p.m. Dec. 10, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 10 and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 12. Orders for luminaria are being accepted at Troop284Irwin.com. Order deadline: Dec. 11, with expected delivery the weekend of Dec. 18.

• A holiday craft and vendor show will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 12 on the lower level of the Lourdes Center at Divine Mercy Academy, 245 Azalea Drive, Monroeville. There will be music, a basket raffle, Christmas photo booth and a visit from the North Pole. Free admission. Details: dmamonroevilleptg@gmail.com.

• West Newton First Church of God will have its third annual Christmas cookie walk from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 11 at the church, 157 N. Second St. There will be over 30 varieties available. Customers will receive a plastic glove and box, select their cookies and pay by the pound. Cost: cookies, $8 per pound; peanut butter balls, $6 per dozen. Details: 724-872-7467.

• Norwin Air Force Junior ROTC will sponsor a drive-thru Toys for Tots collection from noon to 2 p.m. Dec. 12 at the Norwin High School parking lot adjacent to Knights Stadium, McMahon Drive, North Huntingdon. New, unwrapped toys will be collected from your vehicle. Details: Norwinjrotc@hotmail.com.

• West Newton Library is accepting donations of used newer hardcover and paper back books for its fill a bag for $5 room at the library, 124 N. Water St. All books are checked to make sure they are not needed on the library shelves. No cookbooks, children’s books or non-fiction, please. Hours: noon to 5 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays, noon to 7 p.m. Wednesdays, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays. Details: 724-633-0798.

Meetings

• The Braddock Trail chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution will meet Dec. 11 at the chapter house, 200 S. Church St., Mt. Pleasant. Lunch will be served at noon and the meeting will begin at 1 p.m.

• South Hills Coin Club will meet at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 14 at the Bethel Park Municipal Building, 5100 W. Library Ave. The program will be the annual Christmas party. There will be a 50/50 raffle and prizes for children. Public welcome. Details: 724-984-6611.

• Level Green Seniors will meet and have their annual Christmas party at 11 a.m. Dec. 16 at the Level Green Lions Community Building, 123 Murrysville Road. Lunch menu: ham, roast beef, scalloped potatoes, green beans almondine, broccoli salad and cake. Cost: $5, non-members, $10; due in advance. There will be a gift exchange instead of bingo. Bring a $10 gift to participate. New members welcome. Details: Mary, 412-372-5422.

Submissions from nonprofit organizations for Briefly Speaking can be emailed to cpinto-smith@triblive.com. Include a complete address and daytime phone number. Submissions are due at least two weeks prior to the event. Each announcement is printed once; there is no fee.