Nov 28, 2018 7 min read

Mon River Arts will present “Fruitcakes, A Comedy” by Julian Wiles Thursday through Saturday, Dec. 6-9, in the Grand Theatre, 207 S. 2nd Ave., Elizabeth. Mix together a batch of fruitcakes, three dozen Christmas trees, 10,000 outdoor Christmas lights, a chicken pox epidemic, two southern spinsters, an estranged old man, a lost cat named Tutti Frutti and a Christmas hog named Buster and you’ve got the recipe for a fun-filled and touching evening of holiday cheer. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, and 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are $14 for adults and $12 for students and seniors. Seating is reserved. For tickets, call the box office at 412-405-8425, email MRAboxoffice@gmail.com or purchase online at https://monriverarts.ticketleap.com/fruitcakes.

The Bethel Woman’s Club will meet on Dec. 12 at the South Hills Elks Lodge, 2789 South Park Road, Bethel Park. There will be a social gathering at 11:30 with the holiday basket raffle and bake sale, as well as the quilt raffle. Lunch will be served at noon, followed by entertainment from Irma Guard, musician and vocalist. Reservations can be made by calling Pat at 412-831-1861 no later than Dec. 7.

The Mt. Morris Volunteer Fire Department auxiliary is holding its annual Breakfast with Santa from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 8 at its fire hall located at 295 Mt. Morris Road. Those who attend are encouraged to wear Christmas pajamas and enjoy a breakfast buffet, which will include eggs and bacon, French toast sticks, fruit and more. The event is free to children 12 and under, and $7 for adults. Go to the Mt. Morris VFD Auxiliary Facebook page to RSVP. Following the event, there will be the annual Christmas parade at 4 p.m., where the Mt. Morris VFD Auxiliary will be hosting a children’s vehicle contest.

The Mon Valley NAACP’s Freedom Fund Pre-Christmas Black and White Dinner Dance will be held on Saturday, Dec. 8 at the St. Vincent DePaul Society’s Banquet Hall located at 1701 Grand Blvd., Monessen. Doors open at 6 p.m. Dinner will be served at 7 followed by dancing to the oldies with D.J. Eddy Bell. This is a BYOB event. Tickets are $30 and can be obtained from an NAACP member or by calling the branch at 724-684-8545 (leave a message requesting a ticket reservation).

The Bible Chapel, McMurray, will present A Pittsburgh Irish Christmas on Sunday, Dec. 9, featuring Christmas carol sing-a-longs, fiddlers, orchestra, choir and soloists. There will be two performances – 3 and 6 p.m. Childcare is available for children age birth to 2 years old, but online registration is required at biblechapel.org. The concerts are free.

Breakfast with Santa will be held from 8 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 1, at the Masonic Center, 44, W. Wheeling Street, Washington (use rear door). The menu will include pancakes and sausage or biscuits with gravy and eggs. Cost is $6 for adults and $4 for children ages 5-12. Children under 5 are free.

Thomas Presbyterian Church will conduct the church-wide Advent study “All I Want for Christmas” beginning Sunday, Dec. 2. The five-week Advent study encourages participants to think about what they really want for Christmas by reminding them of the life-changing gifts Christmas has in store for everyone. Classes for adults and youth (grades 6 through 12) will be held Sunday mornings at 9:15 a.m. Classes for children ages 3 years old through fifth grade will be held Sunday mornings at 10:30 a.m. The church is located at 1068 Linden Road in Eighty Four. For information, call the church office at 724-941-8910 or visit www.thomaspres.org.

The Bible Chapel, McMurray, will hold a church service from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 2, to encourage those carrying the heavy weight of grief, pain, life struggles or loss this holiday season.

The monthly meeting of the Mon Valley Coin Club will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 2, at 303 Chamber Plaza in Charleroi. The program for this meeting will be the annual Christmas party. Applications are now being accepted for membership. A 50/50 raffle will be held. Prizes will be awarded for children. For information, call 724-984-6611.

On Sunday, Dec. 2, the Bentworth Ministerium Community Choir will share its Christmas Cantata at 7 p.m. “Journey of a King” will be presented at the Washington Alliance Church, 246 Sanitarium Road, Washington. This is a free event.

The First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) will have the Empty Chair service at 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 3. Remember friends and family by writing their names on angels and hanging the angels on a Christmas tree. For information, call 724-489-9014 or e-mail fcccharleroi@gmail.com.

The addiction recovery ministry There is Hope, a Christ centered 12-step program, will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Mondays, Dec. 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31, at Malden Christian Fellowship, 343 Old National Pike, Brownsville. The program is open to those in recovery and those struggling with addiction as well as their family members or loved ones. For information, call 724-434-4597 or 724-785-3042.

The Washington Camera Club will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 4 in Courthouse Square, Room 104. The program will be “Post Processing Images in Photoshop” by Robert Agnew.

Association of University People (AUP) is looking for single, four-year college graduates over 50 to join the group for monthly dinners and social gatherings. Upcoming events include: Holiday dinner dance at Chartiers Country Club, 6:30 p.m. Dec. 5, featuring a cocktail hour, cash bar and appetizers. Dinner is at 7:30 followed by music and dancing at 8:30. Guests are welcome. For cost or to RSVP (required), call Liv at 412-580-3957. Gather at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 6, at Carnegie Music Hall in Oakland for the River City Brass Band’s Christmas Brasstacular. For tickets, call Bill at 412-657-7485. Meet in the Asado Urban Grill at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Green Tree for happy hour from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 13. RSVP to Liv at 412-580-3957. Meet for Scrabble at 2 p.m. Fridays, Dec. 14 and 28, at the The Galleria of Mt. Lebanon (near Anthropologie). RSVP to Rina at 412-341-8009. Dinner at the Walnut Grill in Fox Chapel will take place at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 18. RSVP to Liv at 412-580-3957. For information, visit www.aupsinglespittsburgh.org.

A community dinner will be held from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 6, at Liberty United Methodist Church, 1330 Banetown Road, Washington. The menu includes creamed chicken and biscuit, mashed potatoes, green beans, coleslaw or fruit, dessert and beverage. A free-will offering will be accepted and proceeds will benefit local charities and church ministries. Carryout is available. For information, call 724-222-7180.

Crossroads Ministries, Finleyville, will present “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” at 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, Dec. 6-8. There will also be a 1 p.m. show on Saturday. Tickets are $6 and include a dessert reception following each presentation. “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” is the story of Imogene, Claude, Ralph, Leroy, Ollie and Gladys Herdman – six delinquent children, who were engaged in misfit behavior for their age. They go to church for the first time after being told that the church offers snacks. Despite protests from other church members, they are given roles in the Sunday school’s Christmas play and tell the Christmas story in a “non-conventional” fashion. Tickets are available at www.crsmin.com. Crossroads Ministries is located at 81 Walter Long Road.

An all-you-can-eat spaghetti dinner will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7, at First Christian Church, 615 E. Beau Street, Washington. The menu will include spaghetti with meat sauce, salad, Italian bread, drink and homemade dessert. Cost is $10 for adults and $4 for children ages 5-12. Takeout will be available. For information, call 724-222-1510.

The Bradford House Museum will host a Holiday Gift Shoppe from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Dec. 7 and 8, with free admission. Enjoy the museum’s 18th century holiday decor, courtesy of the Daughters of the American Revolution, while browsing more than a dozen vendors on site. The museum is located at 175 South Main Street, Washington.