Future events
local stage
Actors and Artists of Fayette County (AAFC) will present “Mame” at Scottdale Showtime Theatre at 8:15 p.m. today and Saturday and Friday and Saturday, Dec. 13-14, and 3:15 p.m. Sunday and Sunday, Dec. 13. Tickets are $10, and reservations can be made by visiting the box office located at 111 Pittsburgh St., Scottdale, from noon to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday or by calling 724-887-0887. AAFC, Scottdale Showtime Theatre and the Lido Caf? will offer Luncheon Before the Lights at 7 p.m. today. Luncheon Before the Lights is a brief program about “Mame,” a light supper including a deli-style sandwich, pasta salad, fruit salad, dessert, beverage and a ticket to today’s performance. The cost is $20. Reservations for Luncheon Before the Lights are required.
music
The Point Marion Lions Club will host a “Music Jamboree” fund-raising event at the skating rink in Point Marion every second Saturday of the month. The event will begin at 6 p.m. and will feature an open-stage portion from 6 to 7:30 p.m. A feature group or band will play from 7:45 to 8:45 p.m. These events will continue every second Saturday of the month through June 2003. There will be music from the staff band and unexpected guests. There is a $2 donation at the door. The kitchen opens at 5:30 p.m. To participate in the open stage, book a band or perform in the feature portion, call 724-725-5737 or 1-304-599-0795.
“Symphony on Wheels” will travel to Pittsburgh on Saturday, Dec. 21, to attend the “Holiday Pops” concert. A holiday tradition that grows more popular every year, Heinz Hall is transformed into a winter wonderland by the sounds of the season. The audience will enjoy such favorites as music from “The Nutcracker” and holiday classics like “Jingle Bells” and “Silent Night.” An audience sing-a-long will follow. Deadline for purchasing tickets for this concert will be Friday, Dec. 13. Ticket cost is $42 for seating in the grand tier or orchestra level. Bus transportation from the Uniontown Mall is available for a charge of $17 for a round-trip ticket. Call Susan at Communities in Schools at 724-437-2540 for reservations.
The Albert Gallatin High School Band will present its Christmas concert at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13, in the high school auditorium. The band recently performed in Pittsburgh’s annual “Celebrate the Season” parade. The 140-piece band led Disney’s own Mickey Mouse through the streets of Pittsburgh.
art
The Flatiron Building in Brownsville houses two museums. The Heritage Center tells the story of the two major eras of history relating to the making of America. The Westward Expansion (National Road era) and the Coal, Coke, River and Railroad (Industrial era) offer changing exhibits every two months. For more information, call 724-785-9331. The Frank L. Melega Art Museum located in the upper level of the historic Flatiron Building offers Melega’s original art of many mediums focusing on the industries of the area. Reproductions and limited-edition reproductions are available for sale in the gift shop.
“The Mad Potter’s Tea Party” exhibit will be held through Saturday, Dec. 21, at 64 Crayons Cultural Center, which is located at the Thompson House, 815 Water St., Brownsville. The exhibit includes pottery, paintings, prints and drawings by Judith Hopson and friends. Most of the works on display may be purchased in time for holiday gifts.
Cal U’s Department of Art and Design announced that the Cal U pottery students will host their annual holiday sale in the ceramics studio on Wednesday and Thursday. The hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Light refreshments will be served. For more information, contact the Cal U Department of Art and Design at 724-938-4182.
odds & ends
“Common Lives of Uncommon Strength: The Women of the Coal and Coke Era of Southwestern Pennsylvania” by Dr. Evelyn A. Hovanec is available for sale at the Coal and Coke Heritage Center located at Penn State Fayette Library. Arrangements can be made for personal inscriptions for gift giving. Also available are copies of the 56-minute VHS video “Silver Cinders: The Legacy of Coal and Coke,” which features many familiar sites in Fayette County. A variety of Christmas ornaments, reproduction maps and blueprints and sets of wooden collectibles, featuring a coal tipple, coke ovens, company store, stable, house and outhouse can be purchased at the center. Hours are Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call 724-430-4158 for more information.
The book, “Point Marion … From the Beginning,” is currently for sale. The 490-page volume that includes the genealogy and history of the area begins with the Indians and ends with the year 1999. It details not only the borough of Point Marion, but also the surrounding area because Point Marion was once located within the boundaries of Springhill Township in the former state of Virginia. The book is available at The Book Store in the Cherry Tree Plaza, Smithfield Pharmacy in Smithfield, Kendall Floral, Clar-Mac Sales and the Point Marion Hardware in Point Marion, New Geneva Pottery in McClellandtown and Riverrun Books and Prints in Greensboro.
Geezers’ Writing Workshops have been moved to Tuesdays from 6 to 8:30 p.m. The workshops are free, but individual tutoring sessions for writers may be arranged for other times at reasonable rates. These will also be held at Geezers’ Literary Book Shop, which is located on the third floor of the Thompson House in Brownsville. For more information, contact Dr. Fred Lapisardi at 724-785-9010 or e-mail Geezersbks@worldnet.att.net.
The “Carpathian Cookery” cookbook, now in its 10th printing, is again available for sale. The 330-page cookbook now features a protective plastic cover and includes sections on Christmas customs and recipes (and Easter customs and recipes), traditional Rusyn foods and other ethnic dishes and many other recipes of St. John’s parishioners. Many paska and kolachi recipes, as well as meatless dishes and Lenten recipes, are included. The price of this cookbook is $13 plus $2 postage and handling. To order, send a check or money order to Ethnic Craft Club, St. John Byzantine Catholic Church, 185 E. Main St., Uniontown, Pa. 15401 or call 724-438-6027 for more information.
The Friends of the Brownsville Free Public Library are currently selling packets of note cards. A hand-drawn sketch of the library is displayed on the front, with the inside left blank. One packet includes 12 note cards for $5. They can be purchased at the library or from any member of the organization. The organization is also conducting a membership drive. They meet the first Tuesday of every month at 6:30 p.m. in the library. For more information concerning the note cards of the “Friends,” contact Barry Blaine, librarian, at 724-785-7272.
A dinner dance will be held Wednesday at the Brownsville Community Center in Dawson. Dinner will be served at noon followed by dancing from 1 to 3 p.m. The event will feature hoe-down round and square dancing, slow dancing, polkas, line dancing and clogging. Music and figure calling will be provided by the Dave Dahl Trio. Call Linda at 724-539-7626 to make reservations three days prior to the event.
The employees of Mount Macrina Manor invite the public to view the Live Nativity Presentation from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15, on the grounds of Mount St. Macrina. This year visitors can enjoy the reading of the nativity throughout the presentation as well as holiday music. In addition, the first 100 cars will receive an angel handcrafted by the residents. The event is free of the public.
Mount Macrina Manor Cookbooks will be available for purchase in December for only $10. The book offers a collection of more than 300 recipes from residents, employees and their families. Proceeds of the sale benefit the residents of Mount Macrina Manor. For additional information or to place an order, call Christie at 724-430-1125.
A covered dish dinner and dance will be held on New Year’s Eve on Tuesday, Dec. 31, at the Bullskin Township Senior Center, which is located along Route 982 in Connellsville. Guests are asked to arrive by 11 a.m., bring a covered dish and donate $1. The dinner will begin at 11:30 a.m. followed by the dance from 1 to 3 p.m. The event will feature hoe-down square dancing, slow dancing, polkas, waltzing, line dancing and clogging. Music and figure calling will be provided by the Dave Dahl Trio.
The Flatiron Building in conjunction with the Brownsville Soup will hold a Christmas Toy Drive for the less fortunate children of Brownsville and the surrounding areas. The toy drive begins today during Light Up Night festivities and ends on Friday, Dec. 13. The public is invited to join in this venture by coming into the Flatiron Building at 69 Market St., Brownsville, and selecting a child’s name from the Christmas tree and purchasing a new toy (minimum $10 cost) suited to that child. Light Up Night events include musical entertainment and the kick off of the Christmas auction/raffle. A doll collection provided by Betty Porter will be displayed in the Heritage Center. The Flatiron Building open house will be held on Dec. 13. The night’s activities festivities include musical entertainment and the drawing of the Christmas auction/raffle prizes. For more information, contact the Flatiron Building at 724-785-9331.
The Ice Plant Restaurant will sponsor the second annual Christmas Parade in Greensboro at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14. A meeting will be held at the Ice Plant on Tuesday, Nov. 26, for those interested in participating with the planning. Any organization, club or church wishing to participate is asked to call The Ice Plant at 724-943-4324.
A New Year’s Eve Party and Round & Square Dance will be held from 9 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 31, to 12:30 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 1. The event will feature food, hats and noise makers. A $7 donation per person will include food, refreshments and dancing. Music and figure calling will be provided by the Dave Dahl Trio.
Christmas Sport Card and NASCAR Collectible Show will be held through Tuesday, Dec. 24, in the Uniontown Mall. The show will feature both old and new sports cards. There will be a large offering of autographs in all sport areas. The show will feature stand-up framed pictures and different sizes of NASCAR cars and trucks. Dealers will also be buying collections.
The State Theatre Center for the Arts, 27 E. Main St., Uniontown, will sponsor a food drive to benefit the Fayette County Community Action Food Bank. Residents are asked to bring their non-perishable donation to the State Theatre in downtown Uniontown. The theater’s administrative hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The theater will also accept donations at “Superstars in Concert,” which will be held on Saturday, “The Nutcracker” on Saturday, Dec. 14, and “Cabaret” on Friday, Dec. 20. The first 80 people to make a donation will receive a gift compliments of the State Theatre.
A doll collection display featuring antique dolls provided by Betty Porter will continue until Jan. 10 at the Flatiron Building Heritage Center, 69 Market St., Brownsville. For more information about the display, call the Flatiron Building at 724-785-9331 or Betty Porter at 724-785-7436.
A drive-through live nativity will be portrayed at the Brownsville United Methodist Church, which is located at the corner of Hopwood-Fairchance Road and Brownfield in Brownfield, on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 14-15. The public is invited. For additional information, call 724-437-1393.
Hoe-down square dancing, slow dancing, polkas, waltzing, line dancing and clogging will be held from 8:30 to 11:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21, at the Ohiopyle Community Center and from 2 to 4 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13, at the Center in the Woods Senior Center on Route 88 just west of Brownsville. The donation is $4 per person. Children 12 and under are admitted free of charge. Music and figure calling will be provided by the Dave Dahl Trio.
The Fayette County Historial Society has several publications available for purchase during the holiday season. “Fayette County: A Video History,” an educational video of more than 90 minutes about the history of Fayette County, is filled with hundreds of photographs, interview with historians and residents from throughout the county plus profiles of many towns and communities. Produced under the guidance of Fayette County Historical Society Inc., it is available at the Fayette Chamber of Commerce, Coal & Coke Heritage Center at the Penn State Library, Connellsville Area Historical Society, Smock Historical Society, Uniontown Public Library or from the Fayette County Historical Society by calling 724-439-4422. The book, “Abel Gray: A Romance of the National Road,” written by A.F. Hill in 1876, as a serial in the Uniontown newspaper “Genius of Liberty,” was reproduced by the Fayette County Historial Society in 1998 as a book. The 135-page fictional novel includes accurate depictions of the National Road. For information on these and other publications, which are available (or can be sent), contact the Fayette County Historical Society Inc., P.O. Box 193, Uniontown, Pa. 15401 or call 724-439-4422.
area
stage
Becker’s Shadyside Restaurant, 998 N. Gallatin Ave. Extension, Uniontown, will present a night of dinner theater on Friday, Dec. 20. Stagecoach to the Stars Productions will perform the Christmas play, “Miracle on 34th Street.” Dinner will begin at 6 p.m. with the show following at 7 p.m. The package for dinner and the show is $25 per person, which does not include the tip. The restaurant will also present religious plays one Sunday afternoon each month. The next play entitled “Early One Sunday Morning” will be presented on Sunday, Dec. 22. A buffet brunch will be served at 12:30 p.m. followed by the play at 2 p.m. Actors from the Stagecoach Production Company will perform. The cost is $16 per person, which does not include the tip. Reservations are required for both shows. Call 724-438-0931 for directions, information or reservations.
music
The Voices of St. Vincent are currently holding auditions for all sections of the chorus. Rehearsals are every Wednesday from 6:30 to 8:45 p.m. in the St. Vincent Archabbey Basilica in Latrobe. Rehearsals are required. For additional information or to schedule an audition, call Joseph Bronder at 724-532-6600.
Westmoreland Symphony’s “Home for the Holidays,” featuring holidy pops and classical favorites, will return to the stage at 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21, at the Palace Theatre, 105 N. Pennsylvania Ave., Greensburg. Ticket prices range from $10 to $36 and can be reserved by calling the WSO office at 724-837-1850.
Trinity High School will present a Christmas concert at 7 p.m. Thursday. The public is invited to attend the spaghetti dinner preceding the concert at 5:15 p.m. The cost of the dinner is $4 for adults and $3 for children. The concert is free. Call 304-594-3002.
art
Covered Bridge Gallery & Washington Street Cafe invite the public to The Big Art Sale on Friday and Saturday, Dec. 13-14, at the Washington Street Cafe, 68 S. Washington St., Waynesburg. The event will feature a diverse collection of originals, reproductions, pottery, sculpture and photography created by more than 30 talented local and regional artists. A wine and cheese reception will be held from 6:30 to 10 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13. Entertainment will be provided by Old Friends, a group featuring Steve Halow, Larry J. Durdines and Brandon Petrucci. The art sale will be held from 5 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14. Cherly Ann Hawk will provide the entertainment. There is no cover charge. For more information, call 724-627-5677 or 724-627-9693.
odds & ends
Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens in Schenley Park is staying open every Friday until 9 p.m. Visitors can enjoy an evening stroll through the entire conservatory, then sit and relax in the Palm Court where cappuccino, expresso and desserts will be available. Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardents, the 13-room Victorian glasshouse and gardens in Schenley Park, is open year-round Tuesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Phipps is closed Mondays. Phipps admission rates are $6 for adults, $5 for seniors age 60 and older, $4 for students with ID and $3 for children ages 2 to 12. Children under 2 and Phipps members are admitted free. For more information about the conservatory, call 412-622-6914 or visit online at www.phipps.conservatory.org.
The Pittsburgh Zoo & PPA Aquarium has switched to its fall and winter hours of operation. The zoo will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily with admission gates closing at 4 p.m.