The Stroller, April 17, 2024: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley

Publicize your non-profit’s community events, fundraisers and club meetings for free in The Stroller. Send information at least two weeks in advance to vndnews@triblive.com or The Stroller, 210 Wood St., Tarentum PA 15084. Please include a daytime telephone number.

Brooms available for spring cleaning

Tarentum Area Lions Club has a variety of styles of brooms for sale.

Types available include soft and hard bristle push brooms, $16; kitchen brooms, $13; heavier duty mill brooms, $15; children’s brooms, $8; and whisk brooms, $8.

To purchase a broom and for information, call Jody Shumaker at 724-954-2341 or Donna Holsing at 724-899-6277 or send a message to Tarentum Area Lions Club on Facebook. Proceeds benefit local and global Lions charities.

Scholarships available to local students

Allegheny-Kiski Health Foundation has several scholarship programs available for area students including:

• Helen Rakowski Bole Nursing Scholarship Program

• Adolph Rzotkewicz Nursing Scholarship Program

• Jean Roebuck Lovelace Nursing Scholarship Program

• Helen Rakowski Bole Literary Scholarship Program

• Robert and Jean Walsh Math & Science Scholarship Program

• Robert and Jean Walsh Humanities Scholarship Program

• John Bologna Memorial Scholarship

• Southeast Butler County Community Alliance Scholarships

• Betty Czekalski Scholarship

• Vocational Education Scholarship

• Dr. Richard A. Wilson Memorial Medical Scholarship

Interested students must fill out the application online at akhealth.org/scholarships. No other form will be accepted. Application deadline is May 24. For details, call the foundation at 724-294-3157.

Spring planting party planned April 21

Community Library of Allegheny Valley will sponsor a spring planting party at 3 p.m. Saturday at the Greg Blythe Friendship Garden on First Avenue in Tarentum.

Admission is free, but reservations are required so enough supplies can be ordered. Participants will receive a free take-home herb garden.

For reservations, call 724-226-3491 or visit alleghenyvalleylibrary.org.

Calendar

Allegheny Township

Friday: Alle-Kiski Day Quilters and Sewers will meet from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Allegheny Township municipal building, 136 Community Building Road. Bring your project. No dues or fees. Bring a lunch and drinks. The group is looking for a new meeting space to quilt and sew crafts and clothes. Facilities must have good lighting, free parking, long tables, chairs and no steps. Details: Pat, 724-571-7736.

Apollo

Today: A card party will be at 6:30 p.m. at St. James Parish activities center, 109 Owens View Ave. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Play the card game of your choice. Food will be sold. Admission: $5. There will be a 50/50 raffle and $1 instant tickets. Details: Linda, 724-882-8776.

Today: Apollo Hose Co. No. 2 will have bingo at 7 p.m. at the firehall, 325 N. Fourth St. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. There will be specials and wish jars. Details: 724-478-4831.

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. Details: 724-994-6030.

Freeport

Today: The Thrift Store Clothing Ministry at Freeport United Methodist Church, 211 Fourth St., will be open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. All items are free, but donations will be accepted. Items available include clothing of all sizes, bedding and window items. Donations of clothing, shoes and boots welcome; must be laundered and free from smoke and pet hair. Wheelchair accessible. 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: Allegheny Valley Hospital Auxiliary will sell chances for a lottery ticket raffle from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday in the hospital main lobby, 1301 Carlisle St. The drawing will be at 3 p.m. Wednesday. Cost: $2 each. Cash or checks accepted. Proceeds will benefit auxiliary projects for the hospital.

Today: The Becky’s Closet community clothing store at Faith Lutheran Church, 1500 Broadview Blvd., will be open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the church. Cost: tops and bottoms for men and women, $50 cents; children’s clothing, 25 cents. Donations welcome during these hours. Everyone welcome.

Today: The Agape Thrift Shop at Grace United Methodist Church, 1333 Freeport Road, will be open from 1 to 4 p.m. Clean clothing in all sizes is needed. No housewares or bedding please due to lack of space. Bring donations on Wednesday or leave them on the front porch. Do not place donations in the blue bins behind the church.

Today: Allegheny Valley Association of Churches Food Bank will be open from 1:30 to 5 p.m. at 1913 Freeport Road, Natrona Heights. Food bank participants can receive food allotments twice per month. Those who are not yet registered should come from 3 to 4 p.m. on Wednesday. The Sparrow’s Nest clothing and home goods ministry will be open from 1 to 4:30 p.m. Details and alternate times: 724-226-0606, ext. 10.

Friday: Community Library of Allegheny Valley will host Toddle Time for children 15 months to 3 years of age and their caregiver from 9:30 to 10 a.m. at the library, 1522 Broadview Blvd. No reservations required. Details: alleghenyvalleylibrary.org.

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.

April 24: The Kitchen Sink Book Club at Community Library of Allegheny Valley will meet at 5:30 p.m. at the library, 1522 Broadview Blvd. The selection will be “Silent Spring” by Springdale native Rachel Carson. Copies are available at the circulation desk. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-226-3491 or alleghenyvalleylibrary.org.

April 27: The new Dungeons & Dragons Club at Community Library of Allegheny Valley will meet from noon to 3 p.m. at the library, 1522 Broadview Blvd. Players must be at least in sixth grade. All dice and materials will be provided. Must come with a finished character sheet. The group will be playing a oneshot. Beginners welcome. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-226-3491.

April 28: Veterans of Foreign Wars District 29 Auxiliary Steering Committee will sponsor a bingo at 1 p.m. at the Veterans of Foreign Wars, 894 Veterans Lane. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. Cost: $35, includes lunch, 12 regular games and three specials. Tickets: Amy, 724-882-5600, or Ceil, 412-759-8236 or at the post, 724-904-7649.

Indiana Township

April 25: A Vitalant community blood drive will be from 9 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. in Rowe Hall of the Benedum Student Center at Shady Side Academy, 423 Fox Chapel Road. Appointments recommended, but walk-ins are welcome. Appointments: 877-258-4825 or visit the Donate Blood button at Vitalant.org.

Jefferson Township

Thursday: Bingo will be at 6:30 p.m. at the American Legion, 754 N. Pike Road. Doors open at 5 p.m. The kitchen will be open. Proceeds benefit post and auxiliary projects.

Leechburg

Thursday: The free genealogy group at Leechburg Area Museum and Historical Society will meet from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the museum, 118 First St. Basic computer skills required. Details: Judy, 724-681-9154.

Saturdays: The Leechburg Area Museum is closed for the season. Appointments during the off-season: 724-845-8914 and leave a message or email lamahs@windstream.net.

Lower Burrell

Today: Peoples Library will offer a session of unguided play for children 6 and younger and their caregivers at 11 a.m. at the library, 3052 Wachter Ave. Coloring for Grownups will be at 1 p.m. Supplies are provided, but feel free to bring your own. Details: 724-339-1021.

Thursday: An arts, crafts and STEM craft workshop for all ages will be at 1 p.m. at Peoples Library, 3052 Wachter Ave. Details: 724-339-1021.

Friday and Saturday: Bethel United Methodist Church, 150 Alder St., will have a rummage and bake sale from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Saturday at the church.

New Kensington 

Today: Peoples Library will offer a session of unguided play for children 6 and younger and their caregivers at 11 a.m. at the library, 880 Barnes St. Coloring for Grownups will be at 1 p.m. Supplies are provided, but feel free to bring your own. Details: 724-339-1021.

Thursday: Wesley Family Services Wellness Center, 1045 Fourth Ave., will offer a free tai chi class for adults from 11 a.m. to noon. Participants will use their inner energy in a series of moves that incorporate balance, strength and meditation. Reservations required. Reservations: wellness.center@wfspa.org.

Thursday: Peoples Library will offer a Watercolors for Beginners class at 3:30 p.m. All ages and skill levels welcome. Supplies will be provided. Details: 724-339-1021.

Thursday: New Kensington Eagles Auxiliary Bingo will be at 7 p.m. at the aerie, 2134 Freeport Road. Doors open at 5 p.m. Sales are from 6 to 6:50 p.m. Cost: $25 for a 12-on package; specials will be available. The kitchen will be open. Public welcome. Details: 724-448-7403.

Friday: Wesley Family Services Wellness Center, 1045 Fourth Ave., will offer a free grief support group from 1 to 2 p.m. online and in person at the center. Reservations required. Reservations: wellness.center@wfspa.org.

April 27: Space applications are being accepted by the Eagles for a vendor and crafter show planned for 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the aerie, 2134 Freeport Road. Cost: 8-foot table, $25; 4-foot table, $15; includes two chairs. Details: Shell Schafer, 412-522-8799.

April 27: Space reservations by Redemption Church for a craft and vendor fair set for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Quality Inn, Tarentum Bridge Road. Cost: $35, includes one 8-foot table and two chairs. No electricity available. Application deadline: April 13. Details and applications: redemptionpa.org.

Oakmont

Through April 30: Oakmont Carnegie Library, 700 Allegheny River Blvd., will offer a StoryWalk, “Hank’s Big Day: The Story of a Bug” in the library garden area. Enjoy reading and being outdoors at the same time. Details: 412-828-9532 or oakmontlibrary.org.

Parks Township

Thursday: Parks Township Sportsman Club Association will meet at 7:30 p.m. at the club, 1111 Shipman Road. New members welcome.

Friday: Parks Township Volunteer Fire Department will host bingo at 7 p.m. in the firehall, 1119 Dalmation Drive. Doors open at 5 p.m.

South Buffalo

May 4: Freeport International Baseball Invitational will sponsor a cornhole tournament fundraiser at 5 p.m. at South Buffalo Volunteer Firehall, 100 Firehall Road. Doors open at 4 p.m. Entry fee: $50 per team, includes food and beverages. Must be 21. Cash prizes will be awarded for first- and second-place, and there will be a basket raffle and 50-50. Spectator admission: $15, includes food and drinks. Team reservations: rtoy98@yahoo.com. Payments: Venmo, @Freeportinternationals.

Springdale 

April 25: Springdale Free Public Library will present an historical program, “Marketing the Presidency – 125 Years of Presidential Artifacts” at 6 p.m. at the library, 311 School St. Steve Mihaly will be the speaker. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-274-9729.

Tarentum

Today: The Elks will host bingo at 6:30 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

Today: The Anime Club for children in fifth through 10^th grade at Vandergrift Public Library will meet from 6 to 7 p.m. at the library, 128C Washington Ave. Details: 724-568-2212.

Thursday: St. Gertrude Church will host its monthly spaghetti dinner from 4 to 7 p.m. in the church hall, 303 Franklin Ave. Menu: Dine in spaghetti and meatballs, salad and dessert, $10; meatball hoagies, $7. Add 50 cents for takeout.

Washington Township 

Today: A veterans service officer will be available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the office of state Rep. Jill Cooper, 105 Pfeffer Road, suite 5. Services available will include disability and pension claims, benefit questions, assisting spouses with survivor benefits issues and applications for veterans grants. Appointments will be accepted, but walk-ins are welcome. Appointments: 724-387-9113.

Today: Alcoholics Anonymous will meet at 6 p.m. at Union Presbyterian Church, 656 Route 380.

Friday: Washington Township Volunteer Fire Company will have bingo at 7 p.m. at the firehall, 4078 Route 66. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and sales start at 6 p.m. Free coffee. The kitchen will be open. Players must be at least 18 or accompanied by an adult.

Winfield

Thursday: The Matrona Family Resource Center at Cabot Church, 707 Winfield Road, will be open from 6 to 8 p.m. New and gently used clothing is sizes children’s clothing in sizes preemie through 10/12 will be available, as well as strollers, car seats, toys and more. No reservations required. Details: 724-524-1809 or tinyurl.com/mw9kd9cp.