Future events
local “The Bake-Off Murders,” a murder mystery dinner-theater show, will be presented on Friday, Aug. 22, at the Stone House Restaurant & Inn in Farmington. Seating will begin at 6:30 p.m. followed by the curtain and buffet dinner at 7 p.m. For reservations or more information, call 724-439-8876.
“Therese, The Story of A Soul” will be presented on Thursday, Sept. 25, at St. Therese Church in Uniontown. This live production brings to life the journey of St. Therese as told by her in her book, “The Story of A Soul.” The play also draws from historical sources such as eyewitness testimony. Therese herself speaks directly to the audience, telling her story. The performance is 75 minutes long and is suitable for ages 10 and up. Tickets may be reserved by calling St. Therese Church at 724-438-2341.
Another children’s theater production will don the stage at Becker’s Shadyside Restaurant with “It’s a Bugs Life” at noon Saturday, Aug. 23, and at 1 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 24. The admission fee includes lunch and the show. The restaurant is located at 998 N. Gallatin Ave. in Uniontown. For more information or admission prices, phone 724-438-0931.Country music classic Bill Anderson will perform Sunday, Aug. 24, at Divito Park located at 101 Frankie Lane in Leisenring. Anderson is known for “his first love” of songwriting. Original Anderson pieces such as the country classic “City Lights” and the country and pop hit “Still” are among crowd favorites. The concert begins at 7 p.m. with opening act High Ryder, an uptempo country music band consisting of veteran performers. Anderson and his back-up group The Po’ Folks Band are scheduled to take the stage at 7:30 p.m. Ron Dawson of WMBS Radio will serve as master of ceremonies for the event. Call 724-626-1400 or 1-800-475-1400 for ticket prices and reservations. The show will take place inside Divito Park’s air-conditioned indoor arena.
The Greater Uniontown Chorale will begin rehearsals at 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 8, in the Westminster Room of the Trinity United Presbyterian Church, which is located at the corner of Fayette and Morgantown streets in Uniontown. All current and new members should attend at that time as the chorale will begin to prepare for an October Telethon appearance at the Uniontown Mall and its annual Christmas seasonal events. Anyone who has any questions may contact director William Dreucci or Richard McCoy, the president of the board of directors.
Classical music and musical theater will highlight the 2003-04 season of the Asbury Festival Recital Series. The fall season will begin with “Nunsense,” an entertaining and hilarious introduction to the zany Little Sisters of Hoboken who operate Mount St. Helen’s School. The award-winning musical comedy will be presented Oct. 3-5 at the Asbury United Methodist Fellowship Hall Theatre. Featuring the music of Marcel Grandjany, Claude Debussy and Maurice Ravel, “278 Strings” will premiere in the Asbury sanctuary March 7, 2004. The series will conclude April 3, 2004, with a performance of Franz Schubert’s “Mass in G” sung by the Asbury Festival Choir and the Greater Uniontown Chorale in addition to Josef Rheinberger’s “Concerto No. 2 in F” being performed by Asbury organist Jim Hutchinson. Asbury Festival Series subscription brochures can be obtained by mailing an address label to Asbury United Methodist Church, attention: Festival Series, 20 Dunbar St., Uniontown, Pa., 15401. Brochures will be mailed shortly to those on the series mailing list. Individual tickets will be on sale two weeks prior to each recital event at local businesses in Uniontown and Hopwood.
The Fabulous Hubcaps with special guest The Shari Richards Band will perform from 7 p.m. to midnight Saturday, Aug. 23, at the Fairchance Volunteer Fire Department with a donation admission fee. Fireworks will light the sky during the intermission from 10 to 11 p.m. while a classic car show will take place from 3 to 7 p.m. with trophies awarded to the top “40” and in specialty categories. For ticket information, call 724-564-0907, 724-564-9103 or 724-966-7204.Art classes in basket weaving, calligraphy, quilling, sewing and tryouts for the Dulcimer Club will be held at the Greene Academy of Art in Carmichaels during the summer months. The academy is also searching for art instructors. To sign up for a class or to be considered for a teaching position, call JoAnn at 724-966-7421, Kathy at 724-966-7275 or Carole at 724-966-5460. Refreshments will be served following the concert hour.
Center in the Woods located off Route 88 in California is hosting art classes through Wednesday on drawing, glazing, embroidery, weaving, oil and watercolor painting, bookbinding, stained-glass designing, Japanese paste paper techniques and memory making for grandparents. Interested people are asked to call the Center in the Woods at 724-938-3554 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and ask for Mary Elaine Lozosky.A 10-Minute Playwriting Contest sponsored by the 64 Crayons Cultural Center in Brownsville will be held from Sept. 1 through Oct. 31. Although the competition is nationally adveritsed, local playwrights can get a jump by attending the six-week summer workshop titled “Writing the 10-Minute Play,” which will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays. The workshop periods will be conducted by Dr. Fred Lapisardi who has more than 40 years of university and professional theater experience as a writer, teacher and dramaturg. Students will write, discuss, read and critique 10-minute plays, learn about other contests and gain tips for playwriting success. For more information on the contest, the workshop or workshop fees, call 724-785-9010 or e-mail Geezersbks@att.net.
Curfew Grange Recreation Center in Flatwoods opened for the season on Memorial Day. New members are welcome. Call 724-529-7995 or 724-677-4682.
Fall Festival at Mount Macrina Manor will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m Saturday, Oct. 11. For additional information or to reserve a space, call 724-430-1119.
The Center in the Woods in California will hold its ninth annual Oak Festival from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13, and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 14. Sponsors of the event are Albert Gallatin Home Care, Arden Courts at Jefferson, Baltimore Life, California University of Pennsylvania, Center in the Woods Senior Citizens Club and the Roscoe Ledger. All ages are welcome to enjoy musical groups including Sandy Reeves, Augsburg German Band, Center in the Woods Jam, Center in the Woods Choir, Mon Valley Community Band, Center in the Woods “Touch of German” Club, the Accidentals and a live remote broadcast by WJPA. A wide variety of demonstrators and crafts will be featured. The event will also feature a bake sale and a children’s area with rides and games. Admission, parking and entertainment will be provided free of charge. For more information, call the center at 724-938-3554.
Country Line Dancing & Lessons will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. every Wednesday at the Amvets in Hopwood.
The Friends of the Uniontown Public Library are selling personalized children’s books that can be ordered via the Internet from the buyer’s home computer at http://www.rwrinnovations.com. Each book will be personalized to the buyer’s specifications. Shipping is free. Please use the promotion code “FRIENDS” when placing an order. Use of this code does not change the price otherwise charged for the book. Orders are generally received within one week. Sample books are on permanent display in the Children’s Department of the library.
The miniature circus is coming to the Uniontown Mall Thursday through Saturday, Sept. 18-20. The Circus Model Builders, a worldwide organization featuring circus models in all scales and forms, will hold its national gathering at the Uniontown Mall again this year. The mall will be filled from one end to the other with the most unique circus models in the country.
The Uniontown Public Library at 24 Jefferson St. has a variety of unique gift ideas available for the public year round. Books about local history and genealogy, as well as other books of local interest written by local authors, can be purchased in the Pennsylvania Room on the second floor. Also available are library promotional items sold by the Friends of the Library, including mugs and tote bags, as well as stationery, bookmarks, cookbooks and other special reading-related items that change throughout the year. Visit the Friends’ display on the library’s second floor.
The “Carpathian Cookery” cookbook, which is 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 suitable for the pre-Christmas and pre-Easter fast, are included. For more information, call 724-438-6027.
The German-Masontown Public Library will host a 2003 Summer Reading Program including craft, book and video activities for children. Early registration for the program is requested. Preschool story hours, free chess lessons and a story hour for children ages 6 to 9 are also weekly activities held at the library. More recently, the library’s video and audio book collections have expanded to include public use. Donations to the collections are welcome. For more information on the programs or collections, call the German-Masontown Public Library at 724-583-0979.
The Historic Petersburg Toll House, built in 1835, is open for Sunday afternoon tours from 1:30 to 4 p.m. through mid-September. According to the Great Crossing Chapter, the Petersburg Toll House was recently placed on the National Register for Historic Places and remains the only native-stone toll house on the National Road. The Toll House is located in Addison along Old Route 40. To schedule a group tour or for more information, call 814-395-5774 or 814-395-3015 or e-mail lahall@qcol.net.
The Storey Square Summer Lunch Series will continue with a series of musical performers and food from area restaurants every Friday through Aug. 22 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The location of the event is the park between the State Theatre Center for the Arts and the Murphy Building on Main Street. The schedule of events is as follows: the Laurel Mountain Winds performs today and Lil Red Riding Hood Caf? and Latte will provide lunch. The Summer Lunch Series closes Aug. 22 with a jazz concert by the Mickey Sharp Trio and lunch by Becker’s Shadyside Inn. In the event of inclement weather, the State Theatre lobby is host to the event.
The Scottdale Fall Festival will continue the annual tradition of food, crafts, entertainment and family activities Sept. 9-21. A baby pageant will be a new highlight for this year’s festival along with new additions to the 5K race. “Music, Music, Music” is this year’s theme. The festival committee is looking for corporate sponsors and advertisers. Interested parties should contact Dr. Mark Levander of Fay-West Chiropractic at 724-547-1800 or Rick Thomas at 724-880-8970. The committee is also looking for parade participants. Those interested may contact parade chairperson Sue Riley. For those interested in displaying their special food items or a unique craft or product, contact food and crafts chairman James Helper. Riley and Helper can be contacted through the Scottdale borough office at 724-887-8220.
Smock Heritage Museum is open every Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Sept. 27. The museum portrays life in a typical coal mining town during the Coal & Coke Era 1890-1943. On display are a reproduction of a patch house kitchen, front room or sitting room, bedroom and the local United Mine Workers Union Tavern. The Spooner Barber Shop with all the original barbershop equipment used at that time is expected to open in the near future. Also on display are several antiques, photos, memoribilia and clothing from that era. The “Company Store” craft shop offers homemade crafts made by eight to 10 vendors, as well as several books and videos to educate visitors about life during the Coal & Coke Era. The museum is also open by appointment Sunday through Friday for visitors who cannot make it on a Saturday. Call 724-677-2415 or 724-677-2528 to make an appointment or visit the museum any Saturday on the second floor of the Community Center in Smock. Visitors are asked to enter the rear of the building. The Web site address is www.orgsites.com/pa/smock.
The New Salem Presbyterian Church, 27 S. Mill St., New Salem, will hold its fourth annual Presby Peach Fest from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23. The public can purchase either a ham barbecue or hot dot meal that includes baked beans, chips, choice of peach dessert and a drink. Tickets will be sold at the door. A face-painting clown will entertain, and there will be treats for the children. Each meal ticket sold will provide an opportunity to winn a door prize. Prizes will be drawn every half hour. A flea market will begin at 9 a.m. and continue throughout the day. All proceeds will benefit local church mission projects.
Vendors are needed for the Pumpkin Harvest Craft Fair, which will be held from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 11, inside the Smock Community Recreation & Heritage Center, which is located along Main Street in Smock. Call 724-677-2528 to reserve a table.
Volunteers are needed to work at Fallingwater as grounds guides, garden helpers and in other areas as needed. Fallingwater volunteers are those who enjoy nature, have an appreciation for fine architecture and have reliable transportation. Volunteers work one day a week or one day a month. Fallingwater is flexible and can accommodate volunteers’ schedules. Some training is required. For more information, contact aturnicky@paconserve.org or call 724-329-1441 at extension 1203. More details can be found at the Fallingwater Web site at www.paconserve.org.
The Indian Head Bluegrass Festival will feature bluegrass bands Norm Zack, Blue Shades, Springtime Hill, Mainline Bluegrass and more at the Indian Creek Valley Lions Club Community Center picnic grounds along scenic Indian Creek. Admission to the event is a donation to benefit the ICV Lions. Games and entertainment will be available for children. Bring lawn chairs and a blanket. Contact Bill Springer at 724-455-3919 for further details.
Christian W. Klay Winery in Chalk Hill will celebrate the winery’s Murder Mystery Dinner Theater Oct. 4, Oct. 25 and Nov. 1 complete with wine tasting, buffet dinner and an interactive show. The public is welcome to bring their best chili and salsa recipes to the annual Chili Cook-Off, which will be held Saturday, Sept. 27. A hogroast with bluegrass music will be featured Saturday, Aug. 23, at the Christian W. Klay Winery. All events require prepaid reservations. For event prices, reservations and more information, call 724-439-3424.
The 10th annual Flatwoods Community Picnic will be held Sunday, Sept. 7, at Curfew Recreation Center. Anyone with antique farm equipment is invited to bring it to display this year. Tractors and other antique farm equipment will be included.
Certified Genealogist Amy Johnson Crow will present “Ten Years is a Long Time: Census Substitutes for the In-Between Years” and “Using Land Records Effectively” at a two-hour program at 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20, at the Uniontown Public Library. Everyone is welcome to attend this program that will provide other sources to search for clues to find early information about ancestors. Crow is also the secretary of the National Genealogical Society, past president of the Ohio Genealogical Society and a speaker at the national conferences.
The New Salem Presbyterian Church announces the fourth annual Presby Peach Fest will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23, at the church located at 27 S. Mill St. in New Salem. Tickets for a ham barbecue or hot dog meal with baked beans, chips a drink and choice of peach dessert from peaches and ice cream, peach pie, peach cobbler and peach shortcake may be purchased at the door. Meal tickets provide the opportunity to win door prizes with the winning tickets to be drawn every 30 minutes. To entertain children, a clown will do face-painting and treats will be offered. A flea market will begin at 9 a.m. and continue throughout the day. All proceeds will benefit local church mission projects.
That Dam Ride, a popular overnight bicycling event, will be held on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 6-7, along the Youghiogheny River Trail to the small town of Confluence with an optional tour of the Confluence area. That Dam Ride attracts visitors from many states and contributes recreation, tourism and economic development to Southwestern Pennsylvania. Hundreds of recreational cyclists, from novice to expert, choose from three mileage options, ranging from a 12-mile guided tour of the Confluence area to 30 miles a day from Connellsville and back or 70 miles a day from Boston and back. Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area coordinates That Dam Ride. Proceeds benefit Trips for Kids of Southwestern Pennsylvania, Mon Yough Trail Council and a number of other non-profit organizations providing volunteer support and services. For more details or a registration form, visit www.thatdamride.org or call 412-562-5328 for a brochure.
The Phantom Cruisers Fall Cruise will take place from 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 21, at Grocery Warehouse along Route 119. Registration will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. Dash plaques will be given to the first 200 entries. A Chinese auction, 50/50 drawing, door prizes plus food and beverages will be available. Participants vote on trophy winners with awards will be given to the largest car Ccub and best of show. D.J. Midnight Express will spin tunes. A portion of event proceeds will benefit cystic fibrosis. For more information, contact Will at 724-626-8505 or George at 724-785-3503.
California Public Library will host several events throughout August. Finger printing will be held from 11 a.m. to noon Saturday, Aug. 23. A parent or guardian must accompany children ages 3 to 14. The library is also sponsoring a bus trip to see the Washington Wild Things minor leage baseball team play on Aug. 20. The bus will leave the library at 5:30 p.m. and return at approximately 11 p.m. Registrations are necessary and payments are required in advance. Limited seats are available. The Summer Bookmobile program will end Wednesday. All borrowed materials must be returned that week during the regularly scheduled stops. Books may also be returned to the library by Sept. 15. For further details, contact the library at 724-938-2907.
Big Brothers Big Sisters will hold the Salute America and Run With Heroes event beginning at 8 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 13, at the Uniontown High School. Military, police, firemen and EMTs will join the kids to run a mile for Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Laurel Region. Registration must be received by Wednesday, Sept. 3. Proceeds from the event benefit the children programs for Big Brothers Big Sisters in Fayette County. Participating children receive a Hero Run T-shirt. For additional information, fees or to register, call 724-439-8055.
The 9th annual Oak Festival will be held at the Center in the Woods in California from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13, and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 14. Entertaining guests of all ages will be musical groups including Sandy Reeves, Augsburg German Band, Center in the Woods Jam, Center in the Woods Choir, Mon Valley Community Band, Center in the Woods “Touch of German” Club, the Accidentals and a live remote broadcast by WJPA. Demonstrators and crafters will have their exhibits on display, while food and a bake sale will be offered. A children’s area will provide rides and games. For more information on the event, call the center at 724-938-3554.
Flatwoods Community Picnic will be held Sunday, Sept. 7, at the Curfew Recreation Center. Anyone with antique tractors or other antique farm equipment are invited to bring the items to the event for a display new to this year’s picnic.
The Laurel Valley Corvette Club will present “Vette Together 2003” at Speedy Meedy’s on Route 119 across from the Fayette County Fairgrounds from 3 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27. Registration will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. The event will feature trophies, door prizes and a 50/50 drawing. Food will be available at Speedy Meedy’s. The car and driver must be present to receive a trophy. For more information, contact Ray at 724-277-8737 or Matt at 724-785-7104.
A Veteran’s Recognition Celebration will be held Sunday, Sept. 14, in Mount Pleasant as part of the town’s 175th anniversary. At noon, veterans of all wars and conflicts are asked to participate in the ceremonial march down Main Street. At 12:30 p.m. on Kennedy Avenue, a veterans’ ceremony will take place followed by the inaugural round trip of the “Veteran’s Train” to Scottdale on the Westmoreland Heritage Railroad. The train will continaully run to Scottdale and back until 7 p.m. A 15-piece orchestra playing music from the 1940s will be held at the VFW Post 3368 from 4 to 6 p.m. Frick Hospital will sponsor the “Mount Pleasant Canteen,” offering light food and refreshments to honored guests and families. At 7 p.m., Back in Time Band will play under the Mount Pleasant Gazebo. An exhibit area including historic and military displays will be on site. Shuttle service will run daily. Tickets will be available at various locations in Mount Pleasant. For more information, call 724-547-9115.
The 32nd annual Car Show and Hog Roast will be held Sunday, Sept. 14, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Fireman’s Field in McClellandtown. The firemen will offer hog roast sandwiches, roasted chicken, hot dogs, french fries, beverages and desserts. Flea market spaces are available and entertainment will be provided by Joe’s Dusty Discs. A 50/50 drawing will also be held. All proceeds from the event benefits the Fire Company. Commemorative plaques will be awarded to the first 200 cars to register. For more information, call Linn at 724-737-1370 or Lou at 724-737-5556.Premiere Entertainment will present the audience participation murder mystery “A Lethal Egyptian Lecture” on the following Friday evenings during the summer: today, Aug. 22 and 29. Dinner will be served at 7:30 each evening with the show following. Performances will be held in the Terrace Room, located in building 7 of the Parkway Center Mall Complex adjacent to the Best Western Hotel. For reservations, call the Terrace Room at 412-928-9300.
Mountain Playhouse in Jennerstown presents the fast-paced, door-slamming farce by Ray Cooney “Funny Money” Aug. 19-31. Curtain times are Tuesday through Saturday at 8 p.m., Wednesday and Friday at 2 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. Special discount tickets are offered during the first Thursday evening of each show and every Wednesday evening for those 19 and under. Teens can also combine a show with dinner at Green Gables Restaurant. After the first evening performance on Aug. 19, Green Gables will host an Opening Night Party for the cast, crew and audience. The Mountain Playhouse, Green Gables Restaurant and Huddleson Court are located on Route 985, two miles north of Route 30 at the crossroads in Jennerstown. For information about the 2003 theater season, overnight accomodations or dining at Green Gables, call 814-629-9201 or visit www.mountainplayhouse.com.Bradley Fest 2003 will take place from 3 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23, at Hartwood Acres. The festival features a day of family activities including crafts and food plus performances by Rosanne Cash, Bill Deasy, Mon Gumbo and The Mavens. Suggested donations per car benefit The Bradley Center. More information can be found at www.bradleycenter.org.
The River City Brass Band announced its 2003-04 regional concert series schedule comprised of 56 concerts presented in eight area locations from September through May. The first concert titled “Splendor in the Brass” will offer 3 and 8 p.m. performances at Carson Middle School on Sept. 5, The Palace Theatre in Greensburg on Sept. 6, Pasquerilla Performing Arts Center on Sept. 7, Upper St. Clair Theater on Sept. 9, Gateway Middle School on Sept. 11, Baldwin High School on Sept. 14 and Carnegie Music Hall on Sept. 20. Details about the regional concert series are available at www.rcbb.com or a season brochure can be ordered by calling 1-800-292-7222. Tickets may be purchased online at www.rcbb.com or by calling 1-800-292-7222 or 412-322-7222.
Bluegrass music at the Sagebrush Round-Up will continue Saturday, Aug. 30. Starting at 6 p.m. and ending at 11 p.m., five regional bluegrass bands including Irishtown Bluegrass, The Vaughn Family, Highland Grass, Route 23 Special and Rails of Bluegrass will take the stage. The annual Fall Festival will kick into gear on Friday, Sept. 12, and continue Saturday, Sept. 13. Friday’s music will begin at 6 p.m. and last until 11 p.m., while Saturday’s show starts at 1 p.m. and ends at 11 p.m. Saturday’s featured act will be Jesse McReynolds and The Virginia Boys for two shows at 6 and 9 p.m. Another special bluegrass night will be featured on Saturday, Nov. 29. The Sagebrush Round-Up is located on Bunner Ridge near Fairmont, W.Va., six miles east of Interstate 79 at exit 139. No alcoholic beverages are permitted. Event tickets for adults and children can be purchased. For information on bluegrass bookings or other details, call 304-292-5854 or 304-363-4864.
St. Vincent College’s Department of Fine Arts and Music willhold auditions for students interested in pursuing undergraduate degrees in music, music performance or music education. Admission to St. Vincent’s music programs are by audition only. Auditions will be held on four Saturdays throughout the 2003-2004 academic year: Oct. 25, 2003, Nov. 22, 2003, March 6, 2004, and April 17, 2004. All auditions will begin at 11 a.m. in the Fine Arts Department located on the third floor of the Robert S. Carey Student Center. Appointments are required. To receive a copy of audition requirements, schedule an appointment or for more information, contact Joseph Bronder at 724-805-2123.DinoMite Days, an outdoor art exhibit, will add a splash of prehistoric panache to Pittsburgh’s parks, plazas and public streets this summer through September. The exhibit will feature 110 decorated fiberglass dinosaurs that will meld art with science throughout the region. Pittsburgh’s renowned Carnegie Museum of Natural History, home of the world’s greatest collection of dinosaur skeletons, is the organizer of DinoMite Days. The exhibit is free to the public. For more information and a map of dinosaur locations, visit dinomitedays.org or call 412-622-3131.
A closing reception for the exhibition “Lost Identities: Surrealist Works of Jo Owens Murray and Clifford Lamoree” will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 24 at the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art at Ligonier Valley. The exhibitin highlights two distinct tendencies in Surrealism, sculptural assemblage and realistic painting of incongruent subjects. The public is invited to attend, but reservations are requested by Aug. 21. The museum is located at One Boucher Lane and Route 711 South in Ligonier. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 1 to 5 p.m. on the weekends. For more information or to make reservations, call the museum at 724-238-6015 or visit www.sama-art.org.
A landscape painting class is slated to begin from 3 to 5 p.m. Wednesday Aug. 27. The class will continue on Wednesdays and Fridays through Oct. 8. Classes will be held in the flower gardens of the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art at Ligonier Valley. Ligonier resident and Westmoreland Community College painting instructor Tony Ustazewski will be the class instructor. Reservations are required by Aug. 25 by calling 724-238-6015.
A watercolor class will be taught by Greensburg artist Lee Klingenberg in the gardens of the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art at Ligonier Valley. The classes will be held Sept. 9-12, beginning at 9:30 a.m. in order to take advantage of the lighting opportunities created by the morning sun on the flowers. Reservations are required by Sept. 5 by calling 724-238-6015.Camp “R,” located in Laurel Hill State Park, is accepting applications for the summer vacation season. Camp “R” offers horseback riding, archery, boating, swimming and team sports for children. In its 63rd year, Camp “R” is an accredited camp with the American Camping Association. Call Gretchen Fay at 412-621-3342 for a brochure or further details.
Tours of LeMoyne Crematory, the first crematory in the western hemisphere, will be featured during the second Saturday of August and September from 2 to 4 p.m. Built in 1876, the 30-foot-by-20-foot brick building is located near Washington. Special group tours may be scheduled year round. Other nearby attractions to the LeMoyne Crematory include the LeMoyne House, Pennsylvania’s first National Historic Landmark of the Underground Railroad, the Washington County Military Heritage Museum and the new Civil War Room, which are open every Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. and Tuesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Contact the Washington County Historical Society at 724-225-6740 to schedule tours or more for information on the LeMoyne Crematory and area attractions.
The Monongahela River Buffs’ monthly meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the River Museum, which is located at 175 Second St., Monongahela. Dr. J.K. Folmar, president, will show a video, postponed from the May meeting, of his interview with the late Ernie Gabler in Greensboro on Oct. 28, 1982. Gabler was one of the Buffs’ founders. He had established the Jolliffee River Collection, beginning with Greensboro’s celebration of the 1976 bicentennial, in an upstairs room in the old Depression Era stone schoolhouse. It housed river memorabilia, including photos, posters, numerous model boats and a 20-foot-by-8-foot working model of Locak & Dam No. 7 at Greensboro, which has been revmoed. Refreshments will be served. For information, contact Folmar at 724-938-7886 or George Hutchko at 724-258-6231.
A Fair in the Park, a contemporary arts and crafts fair, will take place in Mellon Park at Fifth and Shady avenues in Shadyside the weekend of Sept. 5-7. The fair features more than 120 local and national artists and craftsmen exhibiting pottery, jewelry, furniture, paintings, photographs, blown glass, leather, clothing, sculpture and other arts and crafts. Glass blowing, wood turning and chain saw sculpture demonstrations along with children activities, local bands and food from the entertainment line-up for the 34th annual event. For more information, contact Director Kay Christy by calling at 412-431-6270, by e-mail at kchristy557@earthlink.net or visit the fair’s Web site at www.craftsmenguild.org.
Fluttering butterflies, thriving in a natural habitat, will be the feature event at Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens in Schenley Park now through Oct. 17. Contact Pamela Reddy at 412-622-6915, ext. 6802, or by e-mail at reddyp@phipps.pgh.pa.us for additional event details.
The Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium is offering an exploration of the animal world in “Skulls and Skeletons” featuring dozens of real and replicated skulls, skeletons, bones and fossils of present day to prehistoric animals including the wooly mammoth and a killer whale. It offers a learning experience on the skeletal adaptations of reptiles, birds, mammals, fish and insects and why the various animal adaptations is crucial to their survival. The exhibit also features a real dinosaur bone for visitors to touch. The aquarium is the first venue for this exhibit. The exhibit will begin a nationwide tour after its Pittsburgh stop. “Skulls and Skeletons” will be in the Discovery Pavilion at the Kids Kingdom until January. For more information on the exhibit, call the aquarium at 412-665-3639.
The first annual Bocce Tournament will be held from 11 a.m. to 5 pm. Sunday, Aug. 24, at West Overton Museums in Scottdale with catered tents and prize drawings. Tent rental packages are available and tents are decorated to a desired theme.
Proceeds benefit Frick Community Hospital and The Coal and Coke Bike Trail. For more information, call 724-547-7521.
The 10th annual Pennsylvania Arts & Crafts Colonial Festival will be held Friday through Monday, Aug. 29 through Sept. 1, at the Westmoreland County Fairgrounds in Greensburg. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday. The event will feature 50 costumed participants from 19 states in more than 200 exhibit booths. Face painting, balloon animals, a petting zoo and a Civil War re-enactment will be featured. Both indoor and outdoor exhibits will be featured. Admission is charged. For more information, call 724-863-4577.
The Greater Pittsburgh Renaissance Festival will begin its six-weekend run Saturday and Sunday. Visitors can enjoy 16th century fashion, feasting and festivity at the re-created 16th century village of Morelandshire located just off I-70 at Exit 51A or Route 31 East, seven miles west of New Stanton. New to this year’s festival is additional artists in te Crafts Marketplace including a coin mint, a moccasin maker, a basket maker, stained glass, masks and fans. Also, Lady Ophelia will hold classes in the art of Courtly Dance, while the castle climbing wall awaits anyone wishing to show off his or her athletic prowess. Festival hours are 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. rain or shine. Tickets can be purchased at the gate or in advance at participating Eckerd locations. Call 724-872-1670, e-mail info@pgh-renfest.com or visit www.pgh-renfest.com for additional details.
An antique glass sale will be held from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 21, and Friday, Aug. 22, in the main lobby of the Mercy Jeannette Hospital. More than 50 pieces of Westmoreland, Jeannette, McKee and Victory depression glassware will be available along with china. All proceeds will benefit Mercy Jeannette Hospital. For additional details, contact the Community Relations/Development Department at Mercy Jeannette Hospital at 724-527-9364.
The 10th annual Polo for the Cure with teams from Dusseldorf, Germany and Ligonier will take to the Polo field at Stom Hollow Farm Field off Route 711 in Ligonier on Saturday, Sept. 20, with gates opening at 1 p.m. and the match beginning at 2 p.m. Guests can enjoy an afternoon of grand buffets, live and silent auctions, entertainment, raffles and an international Polo match. Proceeds from the event will benefit the local Leukemia research and patient aid. Patient Amabassadors of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society will also be honored during the festivities. For more information or sponsorship and volunteer opportunities, contact Tina Massari at 412-395-2872 or by email at massaric@pa-wva.leukemia-lymphoma.org.
The 10th annual Pennsylvania Arts & Crafts Colonial Festival, voted one of America’s “50 Best Craft Shows,” will be held at the Westmoreland County Fairgrounds Aug. 29 to Sept. 1. On display will be more than 200 exhibit booths offering activities such as face painting, balloon animals and a Barn Yard petting zoo. Other activities include a Civil War military encampment, musical acts and a feast of homemade delights. The event is held rain or shine. Free on-site parking is available. Call 724-863-4577 for more information.
The Mountain State Miniature Enthusiasts will hold its annual Dollhouse and Miniatures Show and Sale on Saturday, Sept. 20, at the Middletown Mall’s Banquet Room in Fairmont with vendors from Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio and Florida selling various miniatures. Show time is 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.
Children 12 and under are admitted for no charge. Workshops and door prizes will also be held throughout the day. All proceeds benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundations.
For more information on the event or to become a member of the Mountain State Miniature Enthusiasts club, contact Tressa Roberts at 292-1995 or Joyce Satterfield at 366-8680.