Local briefs
Deadline extended Estelle B. Richman, state secretary of public welfare, has announced that Pennsylvania is extending the deadline for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEP) to April 28, and she encouraged those who still need help to apply now.
The federally funded LIHEAP helps low-income households pay for a variety of home heating fuel sources and furnace repairs. To learn more about applying for heating assistance, call the Fayette County Assistance Office at 724-439-7125 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday or visit online at www.compass.state.pa.us
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WalkAmerica set
The March of Dimes’ WalkAmerica event will be held Saturday, April 29, beginning at 10 a.m. at Uniontown City Hall.
The annual fund-raising event is held to help the March of Dimes fight premature births. About a half-million babies are born prematurely in the United States every year. The number of babies born prematurely each year has increased by 30 percent since 1983. In Pennsylvania, 16,000 were born prematurely in 2005. Premature birth is the leading killer of newborns and a major cause of disabilities, according to a March of Dimes press release.
The money raised from WalkAmerica supports the research and programs to find out how to prevent premature births and local programs that give hope and help families who experience it.
For more information about WalkAmerica or to join the event in Uniontown, visit online at walkamerica.org or call 1-800-525-WALK.
The March of Dimes is a national voluntary health agency whose mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality.
Founded in 1938, the March of Dimes funds programs of research, community services, education, and advocacy to save babies and in 2003 launched a campaign to address the increasing rate of premature birth. For more information, visit the March of Dimes Web site at macrhofdimes.com.
Applications sought
St. Mary School, 17 Gilmore St., Uniontown, will be accepting kindergarten applications from 8 a.m. to noon Friday. Screenings will be available for vision, hearing and speech. Applications are also accepted all year for students applying for preschool to eighth grade. For additional information, call the school office at 724-428-8471.
Partnership announced
The National Road Heritage Corridor (NRHC) has announced its participation, in partnership with the Lincoln Highway Heritage Corridor, in this summer’s launch of the Artisan Trail initiative through the Pennsylvania Cultural and Heritage Tourism Office (CDED) along six routes across the state.
The Artisan Trail initiative is part of the Pennsylvania Tourism Office strategy to create more opportunities for visitors to make Pennsylvania their destination for leisure activities. The cultural and heritage element is meant to encourage new visits as well as extend the trip of visitors who may be in the state for another activity.
“The development of the Artisans Trail provides our area crafts people and artisans a unique opportunity to increase their exposure to the millions of visitors coming into the Laurel Highlands every year, said Annie Urban, executive director of the Laurel Highlands Visitor Bureau. “It will enhance the visitor’s experience and provide an outlet for handcrafted products while connecting to our region’s unique lodging facilities, cultural attractions and beautiful setting.”
“Handmade Along the Highway” will be the brand attached to the trail along the National Road and Lincoln Highway.
“This focus of this project is very much on the fine crafts artisan who work in wood, clay, basket weaving, quilting, textile arts, ironwork, millwork, ceramics, glassblowing, papermaking and printing. We need to not only preserve this cultural heritage, we need to promote its value so that the artists will continue their craft and pass the techniques onto future generations,” said Donna Holdorf, executive director of the NRHC.
Artisans interested in being a part of the initiative must participate in a jury process at Holiday Inn, Route 40, Uniontown on Friday. Drop-off will be from 5 to 6:30 p.m. and jury time from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
For more information regarding the Artisan Trail initiative, call Holdorf at 724-437-9877.