May 1, 2020 9 min read

This is a list of scheduled events in the area that have been postponed or canceled and other closings due to coronavirus concerns.

The list also includes local outreach efforts as well as updated information about meals available to school-age children in the Herald-Standard readership area. Continue to check heraldstandard.com for the latest updates.

Send cancellation and outreach notices to hsnews@heraldstandard.com for inclusion in the list.

Fayette County

n The Masontown Italian Club will reschedule its May cash bash for a later date. The fundraiser had been scheduled for May 1. More information will be available on the Italo American Citizens Club Facebook page.

n South Connellsville Community Yard Sales, scheduled for Saturday, May 2, will be rescheduled for a later date.

n Brownsville Area High School’s Class of 1975 canceled its 45th class reunion, which was scheduled for Aug. 8. For questions, call class president Homer Yeardie at 724-880-7138.

n Oak Grove Cemetery in Uniontown has canceled its Memorial Day service.

n The Greater Connellsville Chamber of Commerce Community Yard Sale, scheduled for May 2, has been indefinitely postponed.

n Laurel Highlands School district has rescheduled kindergarten registration for the 2020-21 school year. Students can be registered at Marshall Elementary on Monday, June 1; at Hutchinson Elementary on Tuesday, June 2; at R.W. Clark Elementary on Wednesday, June 3; and at Hatfield Elementary on Thursday, June 4. All schools will register children from 9 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 3 p.m.

n All meetings and planned activities at Catholic War Veterans Auxiliary Post #1669 in Hopwood are canceled until further notice.

n The board of directors of the Cedar Grove Cemetery Association Inc. has canceled this year’s association meeting. Any member wanting a copy of the 2019 financial report can request one in writing and enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope. Send requests to Cedar Grove Cemetery, 6 South St., New Geneva, PA 15467.

n Fayette Chamber of Commerce has postponed the following events: Women’s Net Luncheon at Fallingwater on May 8; Fayette Business Education Partnership meeting on May 12.

n The Albert Gallatin JROTC has canceled the scheduled Arsenal of Democracy trip to Washington, D.C. on May 8.

n Albert Gallatin School District has announced the cancellation of several planned spring trips including: boys baseball to Myrtle beach, girls softball to Myrtle beach, FBLA to Hershey, and band.

n Red Lobster in Uniontown has discontinued takeout service and has temporarily closed until further notice.

Regional

n The Pennsylvania Board of Law Examiners rescheduled the July bar exam test to Sept. 9 and 10. Those unable to sit for the July exam may be permitted to temporarily practice law under the supervision of an experienced lawyer. Qualifications for the limited license can be found at https://www.pabarexam.org/.

n Excela Health has suspended all regular public activities held at the health care system’s facilities until further notice. Those activities include support groups, classes or informational meetings. In addition, Excela Health’s Wellness Check diagnostic screening, scheduled for May 16 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Connellsville, has been canceled.

n Pennsylvania State Police spring and summer youth camps have been canceled for 2020. Those include Camp Cadet, the Commissioner’s Honor Camp and Sunny Day Camp.

n SAT and ACT tests are canceled through June.

n Giant Eagle stores will be open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Walmart stores will be open from 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. with the 7-8 a.m. hour reserved for customers 60 years and older to shop. Martins stores will be open 6 a.m.-10 p.m. with the 6-7 a.m. hour reserved for customers ages 60 years and older to shop. All will be open seven days a week.

n All local Social Security offices are closed to the public indefinitely, though local offices will continue to provide services by phone. Online services will remain available at www.socialsecurity.gov. Those who already had an in-office appointment scheduled will be contacted to handle the matter over the phone. The phone number for local offices is 1-800-772-1213.

n The Department of Transportation officials have announced an May 31 extension for all driver licenses, photo ID cards, learner’s permits, vehicle registrations, safety/emissions inspections and parking placards for those will disabilities that are set to expire between March 16-31. PennDOT officials reminded customers that many services are available on the website, www.dmv.pa.gov.

n Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) as extended the closure of state parks and forests until May 8. The public will still be able to access trails, lakes, forests, roads, and parking areas for passive and dispersed recreation, such as hiking. Closures include campgrounds, cabins and all overnight accommodations. Anyone with reservations in this time period will be contacted, and full refunds will be made. Also closed are park and forest offices and visitor centers, restrooms, reservable facilities, public programs, events and trainings.

Outreach

n Fayette County Community Action Agency will hold a drive-through food distribution on Friday, May 1 at Redstone Recreation Center, Route 166, Republic from 1 to 2:30 p.m. There is a two-box limit per vehicle, and recipients are asked not to arrive before noon. There are no income eligibility requirements for the distribution, and those receiving food are asked to have their trunk open as they go through the line.

n Brownsville Borough Council is conducting door-to-door food drives each Wednesday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. during the COVID-19 outbreak. Donations of nonperishable food and household items should be placed on porches. Contact any council member via email about donations, private message their Facebook pages or call Paul Synuria at 724-970-4501. Emails are listed on the borough’s website. Distribution of the emergency provisions to local residents will be done from noon to 2 p.m. Saturdays.

n Brownsville American Legion Post 295 is offering food-related assistance to the community and senior Legionnaires. Call Heidi Kavanaugh at 724-833-6474.

n The Professional Beauty Association has established a relief fund for licensed barbers and stylists who are unable to work because of the state’s shutdown directives. More information is available at www.probeauty.org.

n PA Career Link launched an employment page to connect those who may have lost jobs with employers looking for help. For more information, visit www.pacareerlink.pa.gov.

n Brownsville Area School District plans to hold kindergarten registration in July, at dates to be determined. The district is hoping to get a rough number of incoming students and asks those who plan to enroll to fill out a short form on the district’s Brownsville Area Elementary School Facebook page.

n Keedys Pizzeria in Connellsville will offer free takeout lunches to all Connellsville Area School District students, kindergarten through high school during the school closures. Meals are available 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

n Titlow Tavern and Grille in Uniontown will offer free takeout lunches for students 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays while schools are closed.

n Maywood Grill in Chalk Hill will provide free takeout lunches to students from 11 am. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays until schools reopen.

n Bittersweet Cafe in Farmington will offer free takeout lunches for students 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays.

n The Salvation Army Uniontown will continue to operate the soup kitchen 11 a.m. to noon weekdays with takeout only. Social services will be provided by appointment only. Information: 724-437-2031.

n The Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh has announced that all activities in the diocese are canceled, including fish fries and the Stations of the Cross effective immediately.

n Fay-Penn Economic Development Council has announced that working capital loans of up to $100,000 will be made available soon to businesses with 100 or fewer employees. Fay-Penn will provide free assistance to complete the necessary application. Call 724-437-7913.

n Manufacturers who can change production lines to produce needed supplies during the COVID-19 pandemic can call Barry Wicks at 717-214-5373 or email to bwickes@pa.gov. Supplies needed include: surgical/procedure masks, N95/N99 masks (respirators), face masks with integrated shield, PAPRs (Loose fitting hoods), goggles, gloves, protective suites/gowns, booties/shoe covers, head covers, hand sanitizer, sanitizing wipes, ventilators, PEEP, stretcher/beds, hospital gowns, endotracheal tubes, vital sign monitors, thermometers and others.

n Honeys Helping Hand is providing curb-side service for food distributions at 1 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays at Bierer Wood Acres in Uniontown. Boxes will be made up and passed out. This service will continue until the COVID-19 pandemic is over.

n The Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC) has created the Emergency Relief Fund to provide grants to health and human service organizations serving Fayette County in response to local disasters and emergencies. Grants will be made from the Emergency Relief Fund to human service organizations and other nonprofits to address immediate needs, short-term needs and long-term needs of the community. Currently, the Emergency Relief Fund will respond to the needs related to the COVID-19 virus. Tax-deductible gifts to the Emergency Relief Fund may be made via the CFFC website at www.cffayettepa.org. Checks payable to “Community Foundation of Fayette County” may be mailed to 5 South Mt. Vernon Avenue, Uniontown, Pa. 15401. Write “Emergency Relief Fund” on the memo line. Information: 724-437-8600.

n While social and recreation activities remain suspended, daily lunches continue to be available as “grab & go” meals at senior community centers in Fayette, Greene, and Washington counties. The meals are available Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. People 60 years of age or older should call in their meal reservation one day in advance by 1 p.m. For more information, call your local senior center, or the Southwestern Pennsylvania Area Agency on Aging at 1-800-734-9603.