‘The Miracle Worker’ at Franciscan

STEUBENVILLE — Franciscan University of Steubenville’s Anathan Theater will be the site for the performance “The Miracle Worker,” as its mainstage student production.

The William Gibson play will be performed in the theater, located on the ground floor of Egan Hall, from April 4-13.

Performances are open to the public.

Directed by theater professor John Walker, “The Miracle Worker” is the story of the journey undertaken by Helen Keller and her teacher, Anne Sullivan, as they break through barriers of silence and darkness by practicing the virtues of patience, love and perseverance.

The play will be staged during two consecutive weekends. Performances begin at 7 p.m. April 4-5, 2 p.m. April 6, 7 p.m. April 11- 12 and 2 p.m. April 13.

Tickets will be $8 for adults and $5 for students and seniors.

Admission is free for clergy, religious and children under 12.

Franciscan University faculty and staff will receive a 50 percent discount for the April 4 performance, officials noted.

Tickets can be reserved online at eventbrite.com/e/the-miracle-worker-tickets or purchased at the door on a first-come, first-served basis.

Buckeye band director to retire

CONNORVILLE — Bill Stephens will take his final bow on the Buckeye Local High School’s stage during its spring concert, scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Friday in the school’s theater. Stephens plans to step down following three decades with district, retiring in May as choir and band director.

The concert is by donation and open to the public. The event will feature approximately 120 choir and band members in grades 6-12. Stephens will direct the choir, sixth-grade band and high school band, while assistant director Stacey Soos will lead the junior high choir. As part of the concert, Stephens will ceremoniously pass the baton to his successor, Charles Eddy.

“This will be my last concert with our school,” Stephens commented. “We do have other outside performances coming up, such as performing the national anthem at a Pittsburgh Pirates game April 18. My last one will be the Memorial Day parades.”

Reflecting on his 31 years with Buckeye, he commented, “It is very bittersweet for me to be retiring, as I have loved every minute of spending my time with the students. They say that folks are always looking for their dream job, but I was blessed enough to have found mine early. The Panther band will always be in my heart and on my mind.”

The choir will perform selections from Broadway, including “The Greatest Showman,” among others. The bands will perform a mix of standard and popular arrangements, including “Havana,” “Jurassic Park,” “Aztec Fire,” and “Journey.”

Vintage fair coming to Pittsburgh

PITTSBURGH — The Sen. John Heinz History Center, the Smithsonian’s home in Pittsburgh, will host its 11th-annual Vintage Pittsburgh Retro Fair, in partnership with the Neighborhood Flea from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 5. The event will feature more than 60 makers and vendors who will sell one-of-a-kind clothing, accessories, home décor, vinyl records and more.

After shopping, visitors can explore six floors of exhibitions at the history museum, including vintage textiles and quilts made by Pittsburgh artist Louise Silk, whose exhibition is enitled, “Louise Silk: A Patchwork Life.”

The PGH Crepes food truck will be parked in front of the museum as part of the event.

Access to Vintage Pittsburgh is included with regular admission, being $20 for adults, $18 for senior citizens ages 65 and older, $11 for students and children ages 6 to 17 and free for history center members and children 5 and under.

Early bird tickets, which grant visitors early access to the vendor fair from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., are available for an additional $5. A limited number of early bird tickets still remains. For information or to purchase tickets, visit heinzhistorycenter.org.

Purple Circle 4-H news

STEUBENVILLE — The Purple Circle 4-H group met March 9, with those in attendance reciting the pledge and taking roll call to start the meeting. The treasurer’s report was given, followed by the announcement that an Iron Chef competition where pop is the key ingredient, will take place during the club’s next meeting, scheduled for April 5.

A skillathon is scheduled from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. April 30, officials announced.

Three demonstrations took place during the meeting, with speaking about their sheep’s names, ages and body types.

Members took part in a citizenship activity by visiting the East Springfield Fire Hall. There, members were taught about the functions of fire trucks and ambulances, as well as given a tour of the equipment used by emergency responders.

4-H team launch

STEUBENVILLE — Members of the Steubenville City Seedlings 4-H Club were greeted by the group’s newest officers during their March 3 meeting.

Officers were tasked with leading their club through the meeting for the first time. Following a discussion regarding upcoming plans for the club, the Seedlings and Cloverbuds were given their project books, officials announced.

Club members then broke into groups to either do an activity or receive assistance to begin their project book. The groups were overseen by senior members and club officers.

“Members did a magnificent job picking our leaders, and we can’t wait for new opportunities to help with future officers and members,” officials stated. The Seedlings next meeting is set for April 7.