KEYSTONE CLIPS Edible houses for fun, funding

The Prince of Peace Toy Fund's "Gingerbread House" will be at 2 p.m. Dec. 8 at Hermitage Shop 'N Save at 2199 E State St., Hermitage. Children of all ages will be able to build a gingerbread house with icing and candy and their creations will then be sold for a minimum donation of $5 each. All of the money raised will go to the Prince of Peace Toy Fund. The program raised more than $800 last year. Space is limited, so parents wishing to enter their children should register at the store. Winner Culinary Institute of Arts and Sciences will supply the gingerbread house frames, and chefs from the school will help children with their designs.
Gift idea
The American Respiratory Alliance of Northwestern Pennsylvania has a Christmas gift to please the golfer in your family. The alliance's 2003 Golf Tour Pass, at $30, entitles players to one free greens fee at each of 86 participating courses in northwest Pennsylvania, southern New York and eastern Ohio, a retail value of $1,400. For more information or to buy a pass, call the alliance at (800) 352-0917.
Toy drive
The annual Toys for Tots drive at the Pennsylvania State Police barracks in New Castle is under way. Toys are being accepted in the troop's lobby on Wilmington Road from Thanksgiving Day through Dec. 18. The U.S. Marine Corps League is also sponsoring the toy drive.
State loan
A state loan is going to help fix some flooding problems in South New Castle borough. State Rep. Frank LaGrotta of Ellwood City, D-10th, said the borough is getting a $97,081 loan through the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority to construct 420 linear feet of 18-inch perforated pipe and six inlets in conjunction with lowering the road surface of Morris Street from Balph to Morehead avenues. The work will provide curbing to direct water flows during rainfall to the inlets and to a drainage way near Balph Avenue. LaGrotta said there has been persistent flooding in the area.
Loan and grant
Pulaski Township is getting an $8.32 million state loan and a $1 million grant to help alleviate chronic on-lot septic system problems in the township, said state Rep. Chris Sainato of New Castle, D-9th. The township will use the money to construct sewage collection and treatment facilities that will include 124,000 linear feet of sanitary sewers and apparatus, one pump station and two waste-treatment facilities that will serve four areas of Pulaski Township -- New Bedford, Pulaski, Frizzleburg and Pine Glenn.