The Stroller, April 1, 2021: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley

Publicize your club meetings, events and fundraisers in The Stroller. Send information at least a week in advance to vndnews@triblive.com. Please include a daytime telephone number.

New book group to discuss mental illness and health

The Butler County National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) will host a new book discussion group that focuses on books about mental health and illness.

The first meeting will be at 7 p.m. April 29 online at Zoom.us. The group will meet at 7 p.m. the last Thursday every other month.

The featured book for April will be, “Hidden Valley Road: Inside the Mind of an American Family” a non-fiction story by Robert Kolker. Copies are available through the Butler County Library System and at bookstores. Participants are welcome to join the discussion even if they have not read the book.

To register for the discussion, click the Zoom link posted on the NAMI Butler Facebook page, facebook.com/nami/butler.3 under Events tab. For details, call 724-431-0069 or email info@namibutler.org.

Tenebrae service planned Friday

St. Mary Mother of God Church, Freeport, will offer a non-denominational Tenebrae service at 8:30 p.m. Friday at the church, 608 High St.

The service includes meditation, song and readings. For details, call 724-295-2281.

Saturday food distribution in Harrison canceled

The free food box distribution scheduled for Saturday at Grace United Methodist Church, Harrison, has been canceled.

The delivery truck with the food has canceled. For details, call Harvest Church, 724-548-5643.

In Our Schools

Apollo-Ridge School District

Apollo-Ridge School District will conduct kindergarten registration for the 2021-22 school year during the day April 13 and during the day and evening of April 14, both in the elementary school lobby.

Appointments are required. Registration packets are available on the district website and from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays at the elementary school office. Required documentation includes: child’s birth certificate or proof that you ordered one and immunization record; parent’s Pennsylvania driver’s license or state identification with current address; and three proofs of residency that can include a current utility bill or lease/mortgage with parent’s name and address, automobile registration, auto insurance card or tax statements.

To schedule an appointment, call Kimberlie at 724-478-6000, ext. 5001.

Bethel Nursery School

Bethel Nursery School, 150 Alder St., Lower Burrell, is accepting registrations for new pupils.

Openings are available in the 3- to 4-year-old programs and the kindergarten readiness program for 4- and 5-year-olds. Teachers and aides are certified in the ALICE program that trains response options to an active intruder and are CPR and first aid certified.

For information or to register, call 724-339-2764.

Calendar

Apollo

Today: The Teen Come As You Are Book Club at Apollo Memorial Library will meet at 6 p.m. online at Zoom.us. Teens are welcome to come with their latest or favorite reads, discuss with others and discover new books. Details: 724-478-4214

April 10: Table applications are being accepted for a vendor fair planned for 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the parish center at St. James Parish, 109 Owens View Ave. Cost: $15; with electricity, $20. Face masks and social distancing required. Details: Linda, 724-882-8776

April 30: Apollo Memorial Library is selling tickets for an April Showers of Cash raffle. The winner will receive $500. The winning number will be based on the 7 p.m. Pa. Lottery Pick 3 number. Cost: $2. Tickets: stop in at the library, 9 N. Pennsylvania Ave.

May 1 and 2: Reservations about being accepted from crafters and vendors for the Apollo May Daze set for noon to 5 p.m. Details and applications: apollovendorfairs@gmail.com

Arnold

Saturday: Homemade doughnuts will be sold from 6 to 11 a.m. at Calvary Lutheran Church, 1721 Victoria Ave. Orders: 724-335-0101

Saturday: Arnold United Methodist Church, 1801 Leishman Ave., will host an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast from 8 a.m. to noon at the church. Menu: choice of plain, blueberry, pecan and chocolate chip pancakes or french toast, sausage and drink. Dine in or take out. Cost: $7.50; 12 and younger, $5. Details: 724-339-2377

Brackenridge

Today: Brackenridge Council will hold the agenda meeting followed by regular meeting at 6 p.m. online at Zoom.us. Access information: brackenridgeboro.com

Friday: A free Good Friday meal of meatless spaghetti with red or white sauce will be served from 4 to 7 p.m. or until the food is gone at Saved By Grace, 739 Prospect St. Details: 724-230-6739

Butler County

Saturday: The National Alliance on Mental Illness of Butler County will offer a free online support group at Zoom.us for families and friends of those living with a mental illness. The group meets the first Saturday and third Monday of each month. Registration required. Registration: 724-431-0069 or info@namibutler.org. Participants must confirm attendance by 3 p.m. the day prior to each meeting to receive a link to participate.

Etna

Friday: The Pittsburgh North chapter of the Women’s Business Network will meet at 9 a.m. online. Those attending can learn how the group supports the success and growth of women in business. Meetings are the first and third Tuesdays of the month. Reservations required. Reservations and sign on information: Kathy Bell, 412-855-0578

Freeport Area School District

Today: Freeport Area School Board will conduct the agenda meeting at 7:30 p.m. in the high school audion, 621 South Pike Road, Buffalo Township. Remote participation available. Details: freeport.k12.pa.us and 724-295-5141

Gilpin

Today: Gilpin Volunteer Fire Department will host bingo at 7:15 p.m. at the firehall, 113 Firehall Road.

Harrison  

Tuesday: Community Library of Allegheny Valley will offer a free performance of, “Sir George and the Dragon,” by the Pumpernickel Puppets at 6:30 p.m. online at Zoom.us. Appropriate for children who are at least 3 years old. Registration required to receive the online invitation. Registration: alleghenyvalleylibrary.org

Kiski Township

April 20: Kiski Township Volunteer Fire Department is accepting orders for a Marianna’s Hoagie and Pizza sale. Orders and payment are due by April 10. Delivery will be April 20. Hoagies are 14 inches and varieties are Italian, ham and Swiss, turkey, All-American, roast beef, smoked ham and cheddar, traditional, three cheese and ham club. Pizzas are 12 inches in diameter and varieties are pepperoni, cheese and white. Cost: hoagies and pizzas, $9 each. Orders: Jan, 724-664-8751

Kittanning

Aug. 5 to 8: The Fort Armstrong Folk Festival is accepting space applications from vendors. Hours: 5 to 10 p.m. Aug. 5, noon to 10 p.m. Aug. 6 and 7, and noon to 6 p.m. Aug. 8. Vendors in the artists market must offer handmade goods. Food vendors can be for-profit or non-profit organizations. Applications: armstrongfestival.com/vendors. Information: info@armstrongfestival.com. Deadline: June 30 or until sold out

Leechburg

April 10: Leechburg Elks will feature the band, “13 Stories,” from 7 to 10 p.m. in the lodge ballroom, 228 Market St. Doors open at 6 p.m. Cost: $15, includes buffet. Cash bar. Public welcome. Tickets: 724-842-8071 or 724-422-4913

April 17: Leechburg Volunteer Fire Company is accepting applications for vendors for an outside Rally on the River set for noon to 6 p.m. at the firemen’s grounds, 268 Canal St. Vendors are responsible for their own signs, tables, chairs and tent. No electricity available. No yard sale tents. Cost: $25 for a 25 x 25-foot area. Details: Melissa, 724-332-9090 or Kari, 724-309-6143

New Kensington 

Today: Knead Community Café in New Kensington will hand out free grab-and-go dinners from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the café, 1011 Barnes St. This week’s dinner is sponsored by Matthew Mazonkey. Those picking up meals are reminded to observe social distancing while waiting in line.

Friday: Trinity United Christian Church, 3400 Garvers Ferry Road, is accepting orders for a weekly Lenten takeout soup sale. This week’s varieties are French onion, regular red chili and white chili with chicken. Soup will be packaged to-go and will need to be heated up at home. Cost: $7 per quart. Pickup: 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at the church front doors. Advance orders required by Wednesday. Cash and checks made out to the church accepted. Orders: 724-230-0866, or text 724-994-9665

Friday and Saturday: Knead Community Café will be closed for Good Friday and Holy Saturday and will reopen for lunch on Tuesday.

Saturday: The Clothing Closet will be closed for Easter weekend.

May 29: TryLife Center is accepting crafter and vendor applications for a fair set for 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Quality Inn, 300 Tarentum Bridge Road. Details: assistant@trylife.center or 724-339-9399, ext. 105

North Apollo

April 10: North Apollo Volunteer Fire Department will host a virtual cash bash at noon on Facebook. Cost: $10 for two numbers. Winners will be notified. Tickets: Venmo@NorthApollo-VFD, Fox’s Pizza in Apollo or call 724-596-7293

Oakmont

April 16: The Garden Club of Oakmont is accepting applications for its annual $2,000 scholarship. Applicants must live in the Riverview School District and be pursuing post-secondary vocational, technical or undergraduate studies during the 2021-22 school year. Deadline: April 16. Applications: gardenclubOakmont.org

Parks

April 10: Pawz for Cure animal charity is accepting reservations for tables and food trucks and gift basket donations for a craft and vendor show planned 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Parks Volunteer Fire Department, 1119 Dalmation Drive. Cost: tables, $25 or two for $35; food trucks, $50. Reservations and details: Joni, 724-681-5935

Springdale

Friday: Springdale Open Bible Church will have a Good Friday communion service at 7 p.m. at the church, 401 Colfax St. Details: 724-274-6610

Tarentum

Saturday: The Clothing Closet at Central Presbyterian Church, 305 Allegheny St., will be open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Details: 724-224-9220

Upper Burrell

Saturday: Manchester Reformed Presbyterian Church, 204 Manchester Hill Road, will have an indoor flea market from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the church. Proceeds will benefit the church Mercy Fund that helps those in need. Free coffee.