The Stroller, April 25, 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.

Four-day river trip planned in June

The Conemaugh Valley Conservancy will sponsor the Stony-Kiski-Conemaugh River Sojourn June 2 to 5.

The four-day event features mostly flat-water paddling from Johnstown to Apollo and visits parts of Cambria, Westmoreland, Indiana and Armstrong counties. Participate one day or all four. All skill levels are welcome. There will be guest speakers and most meals are provided.

For details and reservations, visit conemaughvalleyconservancy.com/news-events.

Alle-Kiski Sports Hall of Fame tickets on sale

Alle-Kiski Valley Sports Hall of Fame will have its 51st induction banquet at 7 p.m. May 21 at the Quality Inn, Tarentum Bridge Road, New Kensington.

This year’s inductees are Chris Como; Jeff Cortileso; Harry Crytzer; Robert Foster; Dianne Haney; Frank Phelps; Terry Preece; Lizzie Suwala Sheaffer; Bobby White; and Rich Kriston, posthumously.

Tickets are $30 each and may be purchased by contacting Larry Lutz at 724-822-3695, Bill Heasley at 724-882-3079 or Fred Soilis at 412-736-1809.

Help needed at Vandergrift Meals On Wheels

Vandergrift Meals On Wheels is seeking regular and substitute volunteers to help with food packing, driving and delivering.

To offer your time and for more information, call 724-567-7893.

Family movie series to feature, ‘Angels In the Outfield’

The free Allegheny County Family Drive-in Movie series planned Saturday in Boyce Park wave pool parking lot will be, “Angels In the Outfield,” rated PG.

Reservations are required. To register, visit alleghenycounty.us/special-events. Gates open at 6 p.m. and close at dusk when the movie starts. There is a 100-vehicle limit. Movie audio is played through a radio transmitter on 87.9 FM.

Calendar

Apollo

Wednesday: 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.

Brackenridge

Wednesday: 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.

Buffalo Township 

Thursday: 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.

Freeport

Wednesday and Saturday: 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.

Harrison

Tuesday: Home Instead of Natrona Heights will sponsor a health and wellness resource event from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Natrona Heights Veterans of Foreign Wars, 894 Veterans Drive, Natrona Heights. There will be vendors, free screenings, refreshments and door prizes. Details: 724-831-2737.

Tuesday: The 50 Book Challenge group at Community Library of Allegheny Valley will meet at 6 p.m. in the library, 1522 Broadview Blvd., Natrona Heights. Share your reads, swap book recommendations and socialize with fellow readers. No reservations required. New members welcome.

Wednesday: 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.

Wednesday: 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.

Saturday: Volunteers are needed from 9 a.m. to noon to help clean up the rain garden near Highlands Middle School and the township perennial garden in Natrona Heights. The township will supply gloves, garbage bags and vests. Workers will remove leaves and litter and prune plants.

May 3: Community Library of Allegheny Valley will present a program featuring Mother Goose character Mary Mary Quite Contrary in person at 10 a.m. at the library, 1522 Broadview Blvd. Children age 3 to 5 welcome. Reservations required. Reservations: alleghenyvalleylibrary.org.

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.

Leechburg

Today: Leechburg Volunteer Fire Company will host bingo at 7 p.m. at the firehall, 268 Canal St. Doors open at 5 p.m. The kitchen will be open.

Wednesday: The Open Teen Forum at Leechburg Public Library will be at 4:30 p.m. at the library, 139 Market St. Details: 724-236-0080.

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

May 5: VCA Valley Veterinary Hospital, 853 Falcon Park Road, will host a Vitalant blood drive – for humans – from 2 to 6 p.m. at the hospital. The blood mobile will be on site. Appointments recommended. Appointments: 412-209-7000 or visit Vitalant.org and use group code P915.

May 7: Members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and Auxiliary are needed to volunteer for the annual Poppy Day collection planned for 9 to 3 p.m. in Arnold, Lower Burrell and New Kensington. A sign-up sheet is on the bulletin board at the post, Wildlife Lodge Road.

May 14: The annual Animal Protectors Hearts for Strays spring luncheon will be at 11:30 a.m. at Hill Crest Country Club. Doors open at 10 a.m. There will be a basket raffle, door prizes, card games and a 50/50 raffle. Cost: $30. Reservations: jlessig@animalprotectors.net or the events tab at animalprotectors.net.

May 28 to Oct. 8: The Lower Burrell Farmers Market is seeking vendors for the upcoming season. Markets are from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays at 2800 Bethel St. Setup begins at 8 a.m. Cost: $40 for the season and free electric is available. Merchandise must be home grown, homemade or hand crafted. Vendors must participate the whole season. Details: TimPamKey@yahoo.com.

Manor

May 10: An American Red Cross Blood community blood drive will be from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Manor Township Volunteer Firehall, 167 Byron St., McGrann. Appointments: 800-733-2767 or visit redcrossblood.org and search for manortwpvfc.

New Kensington

Today: The Community Clothes Closet, 1129 Kenneth Ave., will be open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. First-time customers receive 15 free items. Summer clothing donations accepted during open hours.

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.

May 17: East Kensington Community Circle is accepting orders for its Election Day beef vegetable soup sale. Cost: $8 per quart. Pickup: May 17 at the Community Circle Building, 1785 Seventh St. Road. Advance orders strongly recommended. Orders: Judy, 724-339-7887.

April 29: Valley Points YMCA will host a Boys’ Night Out for boys in first through sixth grade from 5:30 to 7:45 p.m. at the YMCA, 800 Constitution Blvd. There will be dodge ball, basketball, swimming and pizza. Cost: $15 per child; $5 for each additional sibling. Reservations are required by noon April 29 and are limited to 20 children. Reservations: vpfymca.org or stop in at the YMCA.

North Apollo

May 21: North Apollo Volunteer Fire Department is accepting vendor applications for a crafter, vendor and food truck event planned at the firehall, 311 16^th St. Applications: kingal0103@gmail.com or rachelann1975@yahoo.com.

South Buffalo

Saturday: Freeport Hockey will sponsor a Night at the Races at South Buffalo Firehall, 100 Firehall Road. Doors open at 5 p.m. and races will begin at 7. Admission: $25, includes dinner; horses, $20 in advance, reserved tables, $10. BYOB. Tickets: FAHBoard@gmail.com.

Springdale  

Tuesday : The Tuesday Night Book Club at Springdale Free Public Library will meet at 6:30 p.m. The selection will be, “The Woman They Could Not Silence,” by Kate Moore. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-274-9729.

Tarentum

Tuesday: Alcoholics Anonymous will meet from 7 to 8 p.m. at Central Presbyterian Church, 305 Allegheny St. An opportunity for silent prayer will be at 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday: 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

Tuesday: The YoYos Needles Art group at Vandergrift Public Library will meet from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in the library reading room, 128C. Washington Ave. Please note the new date and time. All skill levels welcome. No reservations required. Details: 724-568-2212.

Wednesday : Vandergrift Public Library will host a meet-up for home-schooled students at 12:30 p.m. at the library, 128C Washington Ave. The project will be, “Make Your Own Magnetic Slime.” Reservations required. Reservations: 724-568-2212.

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 25, and May 2 and 9 at the library, 128C Washington Ave. No experience necessary. Chess boards provided. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-568-2212.

Thursday: St. Gertrude Church will sell frozen meatballs and spaghetti sauce from 4 to 6 p.m. by curbside pickup at the church social hall, 303 Franklin Ave. Cost: sauce, $7 per quart; meatballs, six for $3. Please enter the driveway near Sandra Lynn’s Dance School and follow the arrows to the social hall door. Items will also be available after the Saturday and Sunday Masses at the church while supplies last.

May 3: Vandergrift Public Library will host a free Mother’s Day garden party at 6 p.m. at the library, 128C Washington Ave. Children who are at least 3 years old can bring their mom, grandma or someone special for a story time and craft. Children will plant a flower for their special adult to take home and paint a stone to place in their garden. Flowers and speaker provided by PennState Extension Master Gardeners of Armstrong County. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-568-2212.

Washington Township

Wednesday: Alcoholics Anonymous will meet at 6 p.m. at Union Presbyterian Church, 656 Route 380. No reservations required.

Through Sunday 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.

Saturday: 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

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

Thursday: 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.