The Stroller, April 29, 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.

Youngsters invited to attend Camp Cadet

Applications are being accepted for the 2022 Armstrong County Camp Cadet Program, July 24 to 29 for boys and girls, age 12 to 15.

The free program, sponsored by the Pennsylvania State Police at Kittanning, is a weeklong summer camp hosted at Lenape Vocational-Technical School, Chaplin Avenue, Manor Township.

Participants, under the guidance of state police officers and civilian counselors, are introduced to law enforcement agencies including the FBI, Secret Service, local police departments, sheriff’s office and units of the state police. They will tour the courthouse and Armstrong County jail and participate in sports, swimming and other group activities. In addition, there are demonstrations on first aid, fire department/rescue and the hazards of explosives.

Those completing the camp receive certificates and awards. The goal of Camp Cadet is to give young people a better understanding of law enforcement and to encourage good citizenship.

For details and an application, visit CampCadet.com. Application deadline is June 1.

Knead Community Café welcomes donations

Knead Community Café, New Kensington, is accepting donations to help the daily operation of the café, 1011 Barnes St.

Items needed include Lipton gallon-sized ice tea bags, Mini Moo liquid creamer cups, Tide or Gain powdered laundry detergent, full- and half-sized aluminum foil steam pans, Fabuloso multipurpose cleaner, cupcake liners and gift cards to Sam’s Club, Amazon and local supermarkets. For a complete list, visit kneadcommunitycafe.org.

Donations are accepted during business hours 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays.

Calendar

Apollo

Tuesday: Apollo Memorial Library will host a new summer reading book club at 5 p.m. the first Tuesday of the month for readers who are at least 18 years old. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-478-4214 or apollo@armstronglibraries.org.

Arnold

Saturday: Real Life Church, 1826 Freeport Road, will have a family game night at 7 p.m. in the church fellowship hall. Snacks and drinks will be available for a donation.

Freeport

Saturday: Freeport Area Library, 428 Market St., will have a flea market and bake sale 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. during the community yard sale event. Details: 724-295-3616.

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.

Gilpin

May 6: A Red Cross community blood drive will be from noon to 5:30 p.m. at Gilpin Volunteer Firehall, 113 Firehall Road. Appointments: 800-733-2767 or visit redcrossblood.org and use sponsor code GTVFD.

Harrison

Today: 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.

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.

Saturday: The American Girl Zone at Community Library of Allegheny Valley will meet at 1 p.m. at the library, 1522 Broadview Blvd. Children who are at least 7 years old and their dolls welcome. Free. Reservations requested. Reservations: 724-226-3491.

Tuesday: 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.

Kiski Township

Sunday: An all-you-can-eat breakfast will be from 8 to 11:30 a.m. at Kiski Township Volunteer Firehall, 1037 Route 66. Menu: scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon, hash browns, home fries, French toast, waffles, pancakes, biscuits & gravy, coffee and juice. Cost: $11, 4 to 12, $6.50; 2 to 3, $2; younger than 2, free.

Leechburg 

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

Saturday: A trash to treasure sale will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Moose, 499 Reimer St. A bag sale will begin at noon. Light refreshments will be available.

Saturday: The Veterans of Foreign Wars will feature Studio B Services with DJ Tink Heavner from 8 to 11 p.m. at the post. Members and three guests welcome.

Thursday: 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: Church of God is accepting space reservations for a parking lot treasures sale set for 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the church, 273 Chester Dr. Rain date: May 21. Reservations and details: 724-335-4422 or lbcog@hotmail.com.

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.

May 14: The Pa. Fish and Boat Commission will offer a Basic Boating Course from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Armstrong County Fire School, 1999 Route 66. Upon successful completion, students will be able to apply to the state with $10 and the proper paperwork for their Pa. Boating Safety Certificate with the state Fish Commission. Those attending should bring a bagged lunch, paper and pen. Reservation deadline: May 6. Reservations: email name, address and telephone number to jeburns@co.armstrong.pa.us.

New Kensington

Saturday and Tuesday: The Community Clothes Closet, 1129 Kenneth Ave., will be open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday and noon to 2 p.m. Tuesday. Note the change in days and times. Items available include clothing, shoes, purses, linens, blankets and Mary Queen of Apostles School uniforms. Donations are accepted during open hours.

Monday: Pucketos Garden Club will meet at 11 a.m. at New Kensington United Presbyterian Church, 601 Fifth Ave. Lunch will be served after the meeting. Members will drive to the Rabkin Japanese Garden in Tarentum for a guided tour. Guests welcome. Like us on Facebook. Details: Pat, 724-275-7207.

Wednesday: Animal Protectors of Allegheny Valley will host a virtual BowWow/Meow Bingo at 7 p.m. online at Zoom.us. Cost: $25 for one card; $5 for each additional card. There will be 10 games. A gift card prize will be announced before each game and prizes will be mailed to winners. Bingo cards and instructions will be emailed. Registration required. Registration: animalprotectors.net.

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.

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.

Oakmont

Saturday: Oakmont Carnegie Library will have a big bag book sale from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the library, 700 Allegheny River Blvd. Fill a bag provided by the library for $5. Details: 412-828-9532.

Saturday: An indoor yard sale will be from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Oakmont United Methodist Church, 419 Maryland Ave. Details: 412-828-9499.

Parks

Sunday: Parks Township Sportsman’s Club will host a country music jam night from 5 to 8 p.m. at the club, 1111 Shipman Road. Bring your favorite stringed instrument and sing along. Refreshments available. Public welcome. Details: 724-845-2390.

Richland

Saturday: Richland Volunteer Fire Department will have a Monte Carlo night from 7 p.m. to midnight at the fire hall, 5857 Meridian Road. Admission: $20, includes food and beverages. No BYOB. Must be at least 21.

Saturday: Bakerstown United Methodist Church, 5760 William Flynn Highway, will have a flea market from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the church. A grab-and-go breakfast will be available. Proceeds will benefit mission projects. Details: 724-443-3184.

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  

Saturday: Takeout spaghetti dinners will be sold from 2 to 6 p.m. at St. Mark Lutheran Church, 600 Pittsburgh St. Menu: spaghetti, salad, bread and dessert, $10. Orders: 724-274-5313.

May 9: The Mystery Lovers Book Club at Springdale Free Public Library will meet at 10 a.m. at the library, 331 School St. The selection will be, “The Hypnotist,” by Lars Kepler. Copies available at the library. New members welcome. Reservations: 724-274-9729.

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.

Saturday: BridgePoint Church will host a taco night fundraiser from 4 to 6 p.m. in the church hall, 400 E Ninth St., to raise funds for its children’s library and play yard. Contemporary Christian vocal group Risen to Save will perform at 6 p.m. and there will be a basket raffle. Dine in or takeout. Cost: $10; children 7 to 13, $5. Details: 724-671-7580.

Sunday and 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.

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

Tuesday : 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 Penn State Extension Master Gardeners of Armstrong County. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-568-2212.

Washington Township

Today: 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.

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: The Super Bingo at Washington Township Volunteer Fire Company is sold out.

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.