In brief: Free toy store, holiday events and more in the Quaker Valley area

By: HSSN Staff
Monday, November 27, 2023 | 7:01 AM

Free Toy Store

The Christmas Toy Store offered by Walking the Talk is being held at the Sewickley United Methodist church this year, Dec. 9 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Walking the Talk is a local grassroots organization that strives to put those in need together with the resources capable of filling those needs. The Toy Store continues to be supported by the hard work of the members of St. Matthews AME Zion Church of Sewickley. If you would like to help by donating toys, household items or new clothing, contact judyhaluka@walkingthetalk.net. There are also opportunities to help by volunteering your time for all or part of the event. This is an event that provides local toys to local kids in need.

Cochran Hose holiday events

The Cochran Hose Company is hosting its annual Santa at the Station event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 3. There will be crafts, snacks, fire truck rides, and of course, Santa. This is a free family event, but there will be a collection of new, unwrapped toys for the local Toys for Tots drive.

Toys can be dropped off during normal business hours at the Ultimate Pastry Shop, Fun Buy the Pound or Bridgeside Market until Dec. 1; at Sewickley Light Up Night Dec. 1, look for the fire truck on Beaver Street; and at the Santa at the Station event at the Cochran Hose Company from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 3.

Luminaria sale

Boy Scouts from Sewickley Troop 243 are continuing the tradition of selling luminaria kits for the holiday season. Each kit contains 10 five-inch candles, 10 white paper bags and a bag of sand. The price is $14/kit, by check or PayPal. Orders will be taken through Dec. 4, with delivery to local homes Dec. 9. To support the fundraiser, email BSTroop243Sewickley@gmail.com or call/text Jennifer Nastasi at 708-829-8734.

Green Elephant Market

On Dec. 9 and 10, Fern Hollow Nature Center will bring together nature and artists of all kinds by hosting a Green Elephant Market. Local vendors specializing in natural and nature-themed products will be on hand to sell their artisanal goods. The market will be free and open to the public from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on both days. Vendors include Paisley’s Petals, Two Little Blooms Garden, Clavicle Havoc, The Novelty Collective, Obelos Design, Celestial Greetings, Rose Fer Alley, Fig Tree Pursuits and more. For more information, visit fhnc.org.

Senior men’s club

An affiliate of the Sewickley Valley YMCA, the Senior Men’s Club will host John Holton on Dec. 1, who will talk about the Distant Early Warning Line. There will be no meeting Dec. 8 because of the Christmas party. Wally Merriman will discuss Christmas music Dec. 15. There will be no meetings Dec. 22 or 29. For more information, visit smensclub.org or Facebook.com/smensclub.

Business Connection

Greater Pittsburgh Business Connection, a referral group of business professionals, will meet at the Eat N’ Park on Route 60 in Robinson Township for breakfast from 7:15 to 8:30 a.m. Nov. 29. Speakers will be Brian Thomas of BT Computer Consulting Services and Barbara DeJohn of Colonial Life. To attend, become a member, or, for more information, visit gpbc-pgh.org or call 412-364-6446 ext. 302.

Rotary scholarship

The Bob Williams Rotary Memorial Scholarship Program announces the availability of scholarships for the 2023-2024 academic year. In recent years, at least eight scholarships of $5,000 each have been awarded. High school seniors in Allegheny and Beaver counties are eligible to apply. Vocational students, GED students and those attending parochial, charter and private schools are also eligible.

Students must have a 2.5 or higher grade point average and also must complete an essay that highlights their community/school service as part of the application submission.

Complete application and criteria materials, including application deadline, are available on the Rotary District 7305 website, Scholarship Link, or from area high school counselors. For more information, contact Dr. Robert Arbuckle at rarbuckl@yahoo.com

To have your event or information listed in our briefs section, email Katie Green at kgreen@triblive.com.