The Stroller, April 13, 2022: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley

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

United Way collecting personal items for shelters

United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania is collecting new full-sized hygiene products, care items and magazines to create personal care kits that will be donated to domestic violence and women’s shelters in the region.

To donate, complete the collection drive form at bit.ly/WomensCareKits and drop off or have the items shipped to one of the three United Way offices by April 27. Offices are located at 1011 Old Salem Road, Greensburg; 1250 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh, and 407A W. Jefferson St., Butler.

Plum Meals On Wheels seeking volunteers

Plum Meals On Wheels is seeking volunteers to deliver meals on Fridays to senior citizens in need.

Drivers pick up meals from Plum Community Center, 499 Center New Texas Road, and delivering them locally. For details, call Toni Franco at 412-795-2330.

Free meal offered Good Friday

A free Good Friday meal of meatless spaghetti with red or white sauce will be served from 4 to 7 p.m. while supplies last at Saved By Grace, 739 Prospect St.

For details, call 724-230-6739.

Calendar

Allison Park

Friday: The Pittsburgh North chapter of the Women’s Business Network will meet at 9 a.m. at Parkwood United Presbyterian Church, 4289 Mt. Royal Blvd. Those attending can learn how the group supports the success and growth of women in business. Meetings are the first and third Fridays of the month. Reservations required. Reservations and sign-on information: Kathy Bell, 412-855-0578.

Apollo

Today: Apollo Hose Co. No. 2 will host bingo at 7 p.m. at the firehall, 325 N. Fourth St. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Details: 724-478-4831.

Thursday: The Yarn Good Time needle arts group at Apollo Memorial Library will meet from 5 to 7 p.m. at the library, 219 N. Pennsylvania Ave. to knit, crochet, embroider or cross stitch. All ages and skill levels welcome. Details: 724-478-4214.

Bell

Friday: An all-you-can-eat spaghetti dinner will be from 4 to 6:30 p.m. at Bell Township Fire Department, 201 Main St., Salina. Menu: spaghetti with marinara sauce, meatballs, salad, bread, dessert and beverages, $10.

Bethel

April 20: The Outdoor Discovery Center at Crooked Creek will offer a workshop to make your own succulent dish garden at 6 p.m. at the center, 142 Kerr Road. Cost: $30, includes all materials, light snacks and beverages. Reservations required. Reservations by credit card: City Grows, 412-235-7721.

April 23: The Outdoor Discovery Center at Crooked Creek will offer a hands-on program for families with children who are at least 7 years old, “Leap Into Herpetology,” at 11 a.m. at the center, 142 Kerr Road. Naturalist April Claus will discuss the reptiles and amphibians of Pennsylvania. Donations will be accepted. Reservations required. Reservations: armstrongcenter.org/odc-events.

Brackenridge

Today: Al-Anon will meet at 8 p.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church, 847 10th Ave. The group offers help and hope for families and friends of alcoholics.

Thursday: Bingo will begin at 7:15 p.m. at the American Legion, 845 First Ave.

Buffalo Township 

April 28: Zion United Methodist Church will host a community blood drive from 1 to 7 p.m. in the church Family Life Center, 438 Bear Creek Road. Appointments recommended. Bring ID. Appointments: 412-209-7000 or visit donateblood.centralbloodbank.org and click on the Schedule Now or New Donor buttons. Search for group code C664.

Cadogan

April 23: Cadogan Centennial Committee will host a pulled pork sandwich dinner from 4 to 6 p.m. in the township hall, 333 First Ave. Menu: pulled pork sandwich, scalloped potatoes, coleslaw and dessert, $12. Reservations required by April 20. Reservations: David, 724-902-7287 or Jeanne, 724-902-7156.

Cheswick

Friday: The 20-piece Shriners Stage Band will perform swing music from the 30’s through the 60s from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Syria Shrine Ballroom, 1877 Shriners Way. Admission: $5. Proceeds benefit Shriners projects.

Freeport

Today: The Thrift Store Clothing Ministry at Freeport United Methodist Church, 211 Fourth St., will be open from noon to 3 p.m. Cash only. Donations of spring and summer clothing, shoes, bedding and purses welcome. Donations must be laundered and free from pet hair. Details: 724-295-3095.

Gilpin

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

Harrison 

Today: The Agape Thrift Shop at Grace United Methodist Church, 1333 Freeport Road, will be open from 1 to 4 p.m. Masks required. Clean spring and summer clothing in all sizes is needed. Bring donations on Wednesday or leave them on the front porch. Do not place donations in the blue bins behind the church.

Today: The Anime Club at Community Library of Allegheny County, 1522 Broadview Blvd., will meet at 5:30 p.m. at the library. Online participation available. Focused for adults, but teens and young adults welcome. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-226-3491 or visit the calendar section at AlleghenyValleyLibrary.org.

Today: Allegheny Valley Association of Churches Food Bank will be open to anyone in need from 1:30 to 5 p.m. at 1913 Freeport Road, Natrona Heights. Pull into the center parking lot and food will be placed into your vehicle. Those who are not yet registered should come from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Thursday: Burtner House Restoration Society will meet at 6:30 p.m. in the Harrison Municipal Building, 1 Municipal Drive, Natrona Heights. New members welcome. Details: Jeff Jones, 724-205-8784 or BHRS1821@gmail.com.

Friday: Natrona Heights Veterans of Foreign Wars will have bingo at 7 p.m. at the post, 894 Veterans Lane. Doors open at 6 p.m., and there will be specials, a 50/50 raffle and final game jackpot.

Tuesday: A Seniors for Safe Driving class will be offered from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Harrison High-rise, 2006 Broadview Blvd., Natrona Heights. The class is PennDOT approved and for drivers who are at least 55 years old. Safe drivers can receive a 5 percent discount on auto insurance for three years. Cost: $16. Sponsored by Rep. Carrie Lewis DelRosso. Details and registration: 724-283-0245 or seniorsforsafedriving.com.

April 21: The PriorityCare program of Allegheny Valley Hospital will host a free seminar, “The Importance of Colorectal Screening: A Surgeon’s View,” at 6 p.m. in the Charles W. Young Conference Center at the hospital, 1301 Carlisle St., Natrona Heights. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-226-7339.

May 21: Harrison Township Recreation board is seeking owners of commercial and non-commercial vehicles to participate in its third annual touch-a-truck event planned at Highlands High School, Natrona Heights. Details: Natalie Cale, 724-448-6588 or nmcajka@yahoo.com.

Jefferson 

Today: Jefferson Grange will have a luncheon card party at the Grange Hall, 211 Bullcreek Road. Lunch will be served at noon and the card party will be afterward. New players welcome.

Leechburg 

Thursday: A New Path Al-Anon Family Group, a free, confidential program for anyone whose life has been affected by someone else’s drinking, will meet at 7 p.m. in First United Methodist Church, 251 Main St. Face masks and social distancing required.

April 30: A paint night to benefit veterans’ charity Five Forces will be from 6 to 8 p.m. at Leechburg Volunteer Firehall, 268 Canal St. Cost: 4-foot welcome sign, $45; or a noodle board, $65, all supplies provided. BYO drinks. Must be at least 21. Reservations required. Reservations: Jodie, 412-216-9511 or Mandy, 724-882-9852.

May 7: Leechburg Volunteer Fire Company is accepting vendor applications for an outdoor craft show. Cost: $25 for a 12 x 12-foot space. No electricity available. Bring your own table, chairs and tent. Details: Melissa, 724-332-9090.

Lower Burrell

Weekdays: Lower Burrell Lions brooms are available at the City Hall tax office, 2800 Bethel St.

New Kensington

Thursdays: The Secular Organization for Sobriety/Save Our Selves (SOS) a support group for people recovering from alcohol and drug abuse, will meet a 7 p.m. at Lost Dreams Awakening Recovery Community Center, 408 Eighth St. Details: 724-556-0737.

Thursday: New Kensington Eagles Auxiliary Bingo will be at 7 p.m. at the aerie, 2134 Freeport Road. Doors open at 5 p.m. The kitchen will be open. Public welcome. Details: 724-448-7403.

Thursday: Knead Community Café in New Kensington will hand out free grab-and-go meals from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the café, 1011 Barnes St. This week’s meals are donated by Christ Our Hope Anglican Church. Those picking up meals should observe social distancing while waiting in line.

April 16: Voodoo Brewery, 956 Fifth Ave., will host an 80s-themed celebration from 6 to 9 p.m. There will be music video bingo, a costume contest and prizes. Admission: $25. Proceeds will the Artist in Residency program for students at Valley High School and the New Kensington Wings Project. Tickets: checkout.square.site/buy/XTAONRI6R674F5RR2U6V2AQA or at the brewery.

May 14: Vendor applications are being accepted by Knead Community Café for an outdoor Mother Nature’s Garden Market at the café. Items must be natural of plant-based products or garden related. No hot food vendors. Rain or shine. Details and applications: kneadcommunitycafe.org/vendorapplication.

Oakmont

April 23: Riverside Women’s Association is accepting donations for its annual yard sale. Donations can be dropped off on the porch at 1244 Pennsylvania Ave, Oakmont. Details: Riversidewomensassociation.org.

Oklahoma Borough

April 23: A Family Feud Game Night will be at Oklahoma School House Hall, 171 Thorn St. Doors open at 6 p.m. The game show host will be Patrick Fisher. Cash prizes. Cost: $20, includes refreshments, food and entry into feud play. Must be at least 21. Tickets and reservations for tables for eight or more: 724-596-7293. Sponsored by North Apollo and Oklahoma volunteer fire departments.

Springdale  

Today: Wacky Wednesday, a free program for children of all ages, will meet at 6 p.m. at Springdale Free Public Library, 331 School St. The program will be a cookie decorating project with members of several local police departments. Reservations: required. Reservations: 724-274-9729.

Thursday: Lower Valley Community Food Bank will distribute food from 1 to 3 p.m. Thursday from the rear entrance of the Springdale borough building. Do not arrive before 12:45 p.m. Anyone in need of food who lives in Springdale, Springdale Township, Cheswick, Harmar and the sections of Indiana Township and West Deer with a zip code of 15024 is welcome. New recipients can register Thursday.

April 20: Springdale Free Public Library will offer a free craft workshop to make a butterfly wreath at 1 p.m. at the library, 331 School St. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-274-9729.

April 23: Springdale Free Public Library will offer a free class on how to use a Cricut machine at noon at the library, 331 School St. Bring your own t-shirt or bag. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-274-9729.

Tarentum

Thursday: The free diaper bank at Highlands Family Center, 415 E. Fourth Ave., will be open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. One distribution per child per month is available. Details: 724-224-9006.

Today: The Elks will host bingo at 7 p.m. at the lodge, 219 E. Sixth Ave. The kitchen is open to the public from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Menu: elks644.org/elks-kitchen-1. Orders: 724-226-1644 by 8:15 p.m.

Vandergrift

Mondays: The Chess Club for children in kindergarten through eighth grade at Vandergrift Public Library will meet from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Mondays April 18 and 25, and May 2 and 9 at the library, 128C Washington Ave. No experience necessary. Chess boards provided. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-568-2212.

April 28: A workshop to make a 15-inch welcome sign will be at 6 p.m. at Vandergrift Public Library, 128C Washington Ave. Cost: $40, or $45 for with a custom last name. Paid reservations required by April 18. Reservations: 724-568-2212.

Washington Township

Through May 2: A fishing area for children 10 and younger is available on Pine Run in Kunkle Park. Sponsored by the Washington-Bell Lions Club. Thanks to Black Leggs Trout Nursery for supplying the fish and Eagle Scout Jared Burk and other volunteers. Details: 724-727-3515.

May 1: Tickets are on sale for a super bingo at Washington Township Volunteer Fire Company, 4078 Route 66. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. and bingo starts at 2 p.m. There will be 24 games with winnings totaling $6,000. Cost: $35 in advance; $40 at the door, includes one card. The kitchen will be open and there will be instant tickets and a 50/50 raffle. Reserved seating available for parties of 6 or more. Tickets: Washington-township-vol-fire-company.square.site. Details: washtwpVFCBingo@gmail.com.

West Deer

Today: East Union Presbyterian Church will have a takeout spaghetti dinner from 4 to 7 p.m. at the church, 292 East Union Road. Menu: spaghetti with choice of meat, meatball or mushroom sauce, salad, rolls and dessert. Donations will be accepted. Details: 724-265-1381.

May 7: East Union Presbyterian Church is seeking craft vendors for a craft show at the church, 292 East Union Road. Details: Mary Lynn, 412-767-5750.

West Leechburg

April 28: Rep. Jason Silvis will host a seminar on Pennsylvania’s concealed carry laws and the Castle Doctrine from 6 to 8 p.m. at West Leechburg Fire Hall, 1116 Gosser St. Representatives from Firearm Owners Against Crime, the Pennsylvania Game Commission, Westmoreland County District Attorney’s Office and Sheriff’s Office and local and state police will speak and answer questions. The County Sheriff’s Department will issue concealed carry permits. Applicants must be a resident of Westmoreland County and have a valid Pa. driver’s license. Permit cost is $20, cash or check.