Robert J. Harhai Announces Re-election Bid for Belle Vernon Area School

Robert J. Harhai, 26, of Rostraver Township is announcing his candidacy for re-election to a second 4-year term on the Belle Vernon Area School District Board of Education.

Elected to his first term at age 23 in 2019, Harhai was one of the youngest-ever elected school directors in the Commonwealth. Less than 1% of Pennsylvania’s school directors are under age 30. His youthful and energetic perspective prepared him for a demanding first term, where he represented the Board in leading collective bargaining agreement contract negotiation, helped the school district navigate the coronavirus pandemic, and ensured fiscal responsibility was restored to the district.

“My wife, Rebecca, and I have a lot of leopard pride as proud Belle Vernon Area alumni. We are grateful to give back to the community and school that built our foundation for

District Board of Education

success,” he said.

The Harhais earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in engineering from Penn State University and work professionally as lead engineers at the Bettis Atomic Power Laboratory in West Mifflin. The Bettis Atomic Power Laboratory is a U.S. Department of Energyowned research and development facility that is dedicated solely to the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program.

“I leverage my engineering background to ensure District decisions are data-driven, logical, technically justified, and responsibly use taxpayer dollars,” Harhai said. “Additionally, I advocate for local careers for our students, both in STEM fields and in the trades. Belle Vernon Area graduates can have great careers and futures without having to move far away from home.”

Harhai is a strong supporter of agri-

Rostraver Woman’s Club Highlights Recent Meetings, Plans for Senior Girls Tea

At the March 1, 2023 Rostraver Woman’s Club meeting, Chad Vorderbrueggen, Fitness Director from the Mon-Vale Health PLEX, was the guest speaker. Vorderbrueggen referred to the PLEX as a medically based wellness fitness center with the most educated staff. Their programs will continue to grow with the takeover by Penn Highlands Healthcare, and he provided members with information on joining the PLEX.

At the April 5, 2023 Rostraver Woman’s Club Meeting, clubwoman Tami Brazon shared stories and pictures from her 2023 trip to the Holy Land. It was an entertaining presentation and very timely with it being holy week. She inspired members to think about different cultures and the history of the region. We also showered one of our members with gifts of support & encouragement during her illness.

The pierogi fundraiser held for Nate Stanchfield was very successful and raised $1,900 for Nate and his family. Members hope that he will improve every week until his leukemia is GONE.

The Rostraver Woman’s Club is busy planning the annual Belle Vernon Area High School Senior Girls Tea. The BVAHS Senior Tea will be held on May 15.

cultural preservation in Rostraver Township. In 2019, the Harhais purchased a long-dilapidated farm in Rostraver and have spent their free time restoring the farm to its 19th century self. They recently earned certificates in Agribusiness from the local farm credit organization and received approval for their property to be Clean and Green-protected and designated as an Agricultural Security Area. “Preserving the rural character remaining in both Rostraver Township and Washington Township is very important to me, and as a school director, I try to represent rural folks in the District that are often forgotten.”

In addition to his role on the Board, Harhai holds leadership positions in numerous community organizations. He serves as the vice president of the Belle Vernon Area Football Hall of Fame committee and the assistant general chairman of the Mid Mon

Valley All Sports Hall of Fame. He is a member of the Rostraver Township Historical Society and supports the Sewickley Township Grange Fair.

When asked of his greatest achievements on the Board, Harhai said, “It is two-fold. For students, it was developing and leading a safe and responsible in-person commencement ceremony for the class of 2020 at the onset of the pandemic. For employees and taxpayers, it has been bringing a consistent, rational, and level-headed perspective to each Board interaction. My voting, conduct, and actions over the past four years speak for themselves. Were there decisions that were unpopular at times? Yes, but I’ve tried to make reasonable decisions that take into consideration the best interests of all stakeholders.”

Harhai, a registered Republican, has cross-filed on the Democrat and Republican ballots for the May 16 primary election.

South Hills Elks Lodge Hosting Spaghetti Supper Fundraiser

Pittsburgh South Hills Elks Lodge 2213 will be holding an ‘Open to the Public’ $10 Spaghetti Supper Lodge Fundraiser on Saturday, May 20 from 5:00 PM – 9:00PM. Enjoy a delicious meal while you listen to great music performed by Bill and Karen Shepherd who will play classic hits from Motown, Country, Rock and Blues. Lodge Doors Open at 5:00PM with musical performance from 6:00PM – 9:00 PM. Reservations Suggested 412-831-0616. Pittsburgh South Hills Elks Lodge is located at 2789 South Park Road, Bethel Park PA 15102.

Election Day Spaghetti Dinner at Mingo Presbyterian

Mingo Presbyterian Church, located at 561 Mingo Church Road in Finleyville, will hold a TAKEOUT ONLY Spaghetti Dinner on Election Day, May 16 from 12 noon to 6:00PM. Dinner includes spaghetti with meat sauce, salad, Italian bread and dessert. All dinners are $12. You may place your order by calling 724-348-5278.

Bible Chapel in Rostraver to Hold VBS June 26 - 30

The Bible Chapel in Rostraver, located at 209 Johnston Street is inviting all children to our Vacation Bible School. The theme this year is called ‘Stellar’ and will run June 26-30 and is from 6:00 –8:00PM each night. Stellar is for children K-4th grade. Dinner will be served for requested children from 5:00 - 5:45 PM. For more information please call Sondra or Jacqueline at 724-260-5875 ext 503.

25th Annual ‘Fleatique on the Mon’ Set For June 3

The 25th Annual ‘Fleatique on the Mon’ will be held on Saturday, June 3, 2023 from 8:00AM - 3:00PM, throughout New Eagle and Monongahela. This event is the ‘Largest Street Sale in SW PA!’ 3 Miles along Rte. 88 and Main Street. Featuring vendors, crafters, antique dealers, food trucks, churches, community members, and business specials! Free admission, Free Parking. Held Rain or shine. For more information contact: lj@monongahelaareachamber.org or call 724-258-5919. Interested vendors can fill out an application online: Flea/Antique/Craft Vendors: https://tinyurl.com/FleatiqueOnTheMon Food Trucks & Concessionaires: https://tinyurl.com/FleatiqueFood

Free Fishing Derby at Northmoreland Park - May 21

A free fishing derby will be held on Sunday, May 21, 2023 at Northmoreland Park from 8:00am to 1:00pm. This event is sponsored by the Westmoreland County Bureau of Parks and Recreation, the Westmoreland County Sportsmen’s League, and Dick’s Sporting Goods.

First and second place trophies and gift certificates will be awarded for longest trout, longest carp, and longest other fish of legal size in both the adult and youth divisions. A trophy and certificate will also be awarded for the best “Catch of the Day” in both youth and adult categories. Adults age 16 and older must display a valid 2023 Pennsylvania Fishing License.

Registration is free and begins at 7:30am on the lakeside deck outside of the Activity Center. All youth contestants must be registered by 12:00 noon to be eligible for door prizes.

Northmoreland Park is located in Apollo, PA, and is accessible via Route 356 from Routes 56 and 66. For more information, please call the Westmoreland County Bureau of Parks and Recreation at (724) 830-3950 or visit www.co.westmoreland.pa.us/parks

Armed Forces Day Military Display Planned in Monessen

As part of the celebration of Monessen’s 125th Birthday, the Monessen Veterans are hosting a display of what the United States Military is bringing to Monessen City Park on Armed Forces Day, May 20, 2023.

The display will include military vehicles, weapons and possibly a helicopter and other equipment used by our military. The United States Air Force Civilian Component, The Civil Air Patrol will also participate, as well as recruiters from every branch of the United States military. There will be military personnel on hand to answer questions about the military and the equipment.

Expected to be in attendance are General David D. Thompson, Vice Chief of United States Space Force Operations and Dr. Joel Mozer, Chief Scientist of the United States Space Force. The Display will open at 10:00AM at the Captain John P. Onderko Memorial Walking Track near the main entrance to the park on Grand Boulevard and will be open until 5:00PM. There is no charge for this event.

Go “Back To The ‘70s” With Theatre Organist Dave Wickerham PATOS to Celebrate Over 50 Years in Pittsburgh

Dave Wickerham returns to Pittsburgh on Friday, June 9, 2023 with a program featuring music from the 1970s, as the Pittsburgh Area Theatre Organ Society (PATOS) salutes its 53 years of promoting theatre organ in Pittsburgh. The event will be held at Keystone Oaks High School in Dormont, home of the PATOS Mighty Wurlitzer Theatre Pipe Organ, at 7:30PM.

This program will mark Mr. Wickerham’s fourth appearance in Pittsburgh since 2013, reminding us once again that he’s always been an audience favorite. Dave was originally scheduled to perform this feature of 1970s music (the decade of the founding of PATOS) back in April 2020, but it was postponed due to the pandemic.

“Better late than never!” says Dale Abraham, PATOS president. “Dave’s musical styling and versatility has always been enthusiastically welcomed at Keystone Oaks, so we’re fortunate to have him back.”

Mr. Wickerham was honored by the American Theatre Organ Society (ATOS) as Organist of the Year in 2011. Since then, he has performed at hundreds of organ venues across the USA. Moreover, he’s toured Australia and New Zealand several times in the past 15 years. Dave is also the resident theatre organist at the Crystal Theatre Performing Arts Center in Crystal Falls, Michigan.

PLEASE NOTE: This event is on a Friday night (June 9), not our usual Saturday night. Tickets for this event are available at the PATOS website (www.pittsburghtheatreorgan.com) or at the Showclix website (www.showclix.com/event/wickerham). Admission is $15 in advance, or $20 at the door. Students are free with ID.

Keystone Oaks Auditorium is located at 1000 Kelton Ave. in Dormont. Plentiful free parking is available just off McNeilly Road adjacent to the auditorium. Doors open at 6:45PM and the performance starts at 7:30PM.

The Pittsburgh Area Theatre Organ Society maintains the Pittsburgh area’s only Wurlitzer Theatre Pipe Organ still operating in a public venue. PATOS strives to keep the unique sounds of the theatre organ alive in Pittsburgh by presenting the instrument regularly throughout the year.