The Stroller, April 5, 2025: 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. Follow the Stroller on X at @VNDStroller.

Car seat loaner program provides free seats, installation

Oklahoma/Vandergrift Emergency Medical Services has a free car seat loaner program available to residents.

A variety of sizes and styles are available and a certified child passenger safety technician is available to install the seat.

For information, call 724-568-3864, option 1; or email cpst106@gmail.com.

Shoe collection underway at Avonmore church

First Presbyterian Church of Avonmore, 518 Indiana Ave., is collecting gently used and new shoes through July 1 for the Latrobe Area Hospital Aid Society.

Collected shoes are used to support micro-enterprise vendors in developing nations. Pairs of shoes should be tied together with the laces or rubber bands and placed into a garbage bag. Do not bring shoes in boxes.

For details, call Jan Mills at 724-433-9601 or the church at 724-697-4221.

Children encouraged to enter bookmark design contest

Vandergrift Public Library is sponsoring a bookmark design contest for students in kindergarten through 12^th grade.

Bookmarks should be an original creation. Winners will receive a free book and have their bookmark reproduced for distribution at the library. The submission deadline is April 24. For complete design details and an entry form, visit vandergriftpubliclibrary.org.

Calendar

Apollo

Today: Grace Assembly of God will serve a free community lunch from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the church fellowship hall, 609 First St. Ext. Menu: hot dog and chili.

Apollo/East Vandergrift

May 14: St. James and Our Lady, Queen of Peace parishes will sponsor a bus trip to Rivers Casino in Pittsburgh. The bus will leave at 9 a.m. from the St. James parking lot, 109 Owens View Drive. The group will be at the casino for five hours. Must be 21. Cost: $30, includes $20 in free play. State-issued photo ID required to receive free play. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-478-4958.

Arnold

Today: 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 takeout. Cost: $9; younger than 12, $7. Details: 724-339-2377.

April 19: St. Vladimir Church, 1600 Kenneth Ave., is accepting orders for Easter food through Sunday. Menu: butter lambs, $5; kielbasa, $8 per pound; large paska, $15; small paska, $8; large beet horseradish, $5; small beet horseradish, $3; nut rolls, $15. Pickup: 9 to 10:30 a.m. April 19. Order deadline: Sunday. Orders: call or text 724-681-3383.

Brackenridge

Sunday: A free spring garden workshop will be offered at noon in the pavilion of Brackenridge Memorial Park, First Avenue. Children welcome. Start your tomatoes, peppers and herbs or make a native flower planter from a milk jug. All supplies provided. Sponsored by Brackenridge Improvement Group and Community Library of Allegheny Valley. Reservations required. Reservations: tinyurl.com/nj8kzn2k.

Buffalo Township  

April 13: A Sarris candy sale to benefit Buffalo Elementary PTA is being conducted online at sarriscandiesfundraising.com. Candy is available for Easter. Use group number 10-1588.

Cheswick

June 1: Cheswick Recreation Board is accepting applications from craft vendors and food trucks for the annual Strawberry Festival planned from 3 to 7 p.m. in Rachel Carson Park. Rain or shine. Volunteers are also needed. Details: recboard@cheswick.us.

East Vandergrift

Sunday: Our Lady, Queen of Peace Parish will have bingo at 2 p.m. in the church social hall, 411 McKinley Ave. Doors open at 1 p.m. There will be a 54-number jackpot game, a 48-number picture frame game and a magic number game. Details: 724-478-4958.

Freeport

Today: St. Mary Mother of God Church will sponsor a diaper pantry for those in need from 10 a.m. to noon on the lower level of the church Family Community Center, 407 Freeport Road. Use the back door entrance. First-time recipients must provide their ID, the child’s birth certificate and their current WIC or SNAP card. Distributions are the first Saturday of each month. Registration required. Registration: 724-448-6880.

Sunday: St. Mary, Mother of God Church will host bingo at 6:30 p.m. at the church Family Community Center, 407 Freeport Road. Doors open at 5 p.m. There will be a $750 must-go jackpot.

Wednesday: Freeport Area Library, 428 Market St., is accepting donations for its thrift store and jewelry and used book sale. Gently used items will be accepted until Wednesday. Details: 724-295-3616.

April 12 and 13: A Vitalant community blood drive in memory of Corey Comperatore will be from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Laube Hall, 115 Community Park Road. Appointments recommended, but walk-ins are welcome. Appointments: 877-258-4825 or visit the Donate Blood button at Vitalant.org and use account code 100560935 or ZIP code 16229.

Harrison 

Sunday: The Knights of Columbus will host an all-you-can-eat pancake and sausage breakfast from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the council home, 28 Garfield St. Cost: $7; younger than 6, $4.

Thursday : Community Library of Allegheny Valley will host a talk with author Yvonne Valasek Jungle at 6 p.m. at the library, 1522 Broadview Blvd. Born and raised in Brackenridge, Jungle will discuss her book about her mother, Caroline Valasek, “Karolina: A Story of Faith, Survival and Love.” Reservations required. Reservations: alleghenyvalleylibrary.org.

April 15: Staff members from the office of Pa. Rep. Mandy Steele will be at Community Library of Allegheny Valley, 1522 Broadview Blvd., from noon to 2 p.m. to help with completion of property tax and rent rebate applications. Details: 724-826-5151.

April 16: Allegheny-Kiski Health Foundation will offer a free basic first aid class from 6 to 8 p.m. at the foundation, 1 Acee Drive. The instructor will be Randi Shank. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-294-3157 or pkuzmirek@akhealth.org.

Kiski Township  

May 3: Boy Scout Troop 589 is accepting applications for a yard sale planned at Spring Church Sportsman’s Club, 1956 Route 56. Individuals, families and vendors welcome. Cost: yard sale spaces, indoors, $15, outside; $10; vendors and crafters, $25. Spaces are 8-feet wide. Bring your own table and chairs. Reservations: checks made payable to Troop 589 should be sent to Carrie Shank, Troop 589, 1134 Old State Road, Apollo PA 15613. Questions: Tracy Boop, 724-420-6758, or Carrie Shank, 724-448-9639 or cjshank@comcast.net.

Leechburg

Sunday: First United Methodist Church will sponsor a spaghetti dinner from 4 to 6 p.m. at the church, 251 Main St. Cost: $12. Reservations appreciated. Proceeds will benefit the church Redbird Mission Journey. Reservations: 724-845-8761.

Monday: 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.

April 18: Groups and organizations wishing to participate in the Leechburg 175^th Anniversary parade on June 14 should register by April 18. Registration: 724-236-0080.

Lower Burrell

Today: Peoples Library will host a drop-in Chess Club for adults at 11 a.m. at the library, 3052 Wachter Ave. Details: 724-339-1021.

Wednesday: Tri-County Trout Club will meet at 7:30 p.m. at Fisher Hall, Burrell Lake Park, 201 Delberta Road. Doors open at 7 p.m. Guest speaker Frank Trenney will discuss, “Guided and Unguided Fishing Within the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.” Guests welcome. Guest admission: $3.

Lower Burrell/New Kensington 

April 26: Peoples Library is selling tickets for a lottery ticket raffle. The winner will receive $400 worth of Pennsylvania Lottery instant tickets. The drawing will be at the April 26 library luncheon at Knead Community Café. Cost: $5 each or three for $10. Winner need not be present. Tickets: stop in at either library location.

New Kensington  

Today: The Community Clothes Closet, 1129 Kenneth Ave., will be open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Items available include clothing for all members of the family, shoes, linens, purses and handbags. Donations welcome during business hours only. Do not leave donations at the door.

Today: The Salvation Army, 255 Third St., will have and indoor vendor sale from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the center gymnasium.

Today: East Kensington Community Circle will host bingo in the Community Circle building, 1785 Seventh St., across from Martin Elementary School. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. Lunch will be served at noon and bingo starts at 1 p.m. Menu: ham salad sandwiches, macaroni salad and dessert. There will be a progressive jackpot bingo, magic number game, a quickie and drawing for $5 off next month’s bingo admission. Cost: $20, includes lunch, eight regular games and eight specials.

Sunday: Aluminum City Terrace Bingo Committee will host bingo from 2 to 4:30 p.m. in the activity center. Doors open at 1:30 p.m. Cost: $5, includes one board, snacks and drinks; extra boards, $1. There will be a 50-50 raffle. Public welcome.

Sunday: Frankie’s Friends Cat Rescue, 730 Fifth Ave., will sponsor a vaccine clinic for cats and dogs from noon to 2 p.m. at the rescue, 730 Fifth Ave. Enter the yellow building via the alley. Cost: rabies and distemper for cats and dogs, and feline leukemia, all $15, cash only. One-year rabies will be given unless certificate is shown at check-in. No appointment required.

Monday: Pucketos Garden Club will meet at 11 a.m. at United Presbyterian Church, 601 Fifth Ave. Guest speaker Doug Oster will discuss gardening tips, trick and techniques. A light lunch will be served. Public welcome. Reservations required. Details and reservations: Pat, 724-275-7207.

Monday: Peoples Library will host “Construction Crew,” an hour of play with building supplies, at 1 p.m. at the library, 880 Barnes St. Details: 724-339-1021.

Wednesday: A veterans service officer will be available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the office of state Rep. Jill Cooper, 356 Freeport St., suite 100. 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: 724-472-4102.

April 19 to Oct. 25: The Downtown New Kensington Farmers Market is accepting vendor applications for this year’s market season that will run from mid-April through mid October on Fifth Avenue. Local vendors who sell fresh local produce, meat, poultry, dairy products, juice, cheese, bread and baked goods welcome. Details: Meredith, 412-719-8845 or downtownnkmarkets@gmail.com.

May 10: Animal Protectors of Allegheny Valley is accepting basket donations and supplies to make baskets for its annual spring luncheon planned at Knead Community Café. Details: jperin@animalprotectors.net.

Parks Township

Sunday: Parks Township Sportsman’s Club will have 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.

Saxonburg

Monday: Bingo will begin at 7 p.m. in the ballroom of Saxonburg Volunteer Fire Company, 210 Horne Ave. Doors open at 6 p.m. The kitchen will be open.

Sharpsburg

Sunday: A spaghetti dinner fundraiser to benefit Addiction Recovery Ministry will be from 2 to 7 p.m. at the John Paul I Center, 201 Ninth St. Menu: spaghetti and meatballs, salad, bread, dessert and drink, $15. There will be a Steeler memorabilia silent auction, basket raffle and 50-50. Tickets: Rosemarie, 412-378-9290 or rhaasarm@gmail.com.

Springdale

Sunday: Vendors at the Vets will be from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Veterans Association, 1151 Pittsburgh St. This month’s proceeds will be donated to Helping Our Peers Every Day (HOPE.) There will be a variety of vendor booths, door prizes and a 50-50. Vendor information: vendorsatthevets@gmail.com.

Tarentum  

Today: The Elks, 219 E. Sixth Ave., will feature the Cool Change Band from 8 to 11 p.m. at the lodge. Doors will open to the public at 8 p.m.

Today: 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.

Sunday: The Allegheny chapter of the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors will meet from 9 a.m. to noon at the Alle-Kiski Valley Historical Society, 224 E. Seventh Ave. The topic will be how mechanical clocks are put together and how they run. The first 15 attendees will have an opportunity to build and take home a free quartz clock. Public welcome.

Vandergrift

Sunday: TinyCause Rescue, 131 Columbia Ave., will sponsor a rabies vaccine clinic from noon to 4 p.m. Cost: dog or cat rabies, $10; three-year rabies, $15; canine DHPP, $15; and feline FVRCP, $15, cash only. Dogs must be on a leash and cats must be in a carrier.

April 26: The Casino Theatre will present Electric Light Orchestra tribute band Into the Blue in concert at 7:30 p.m. at the theater. Cost: $20. Tickets: casinotheater.org or at Pomfret’s Paint and Variety Store, 149 Farragut Ave., Vandergrift.

West Deer 

April 13: Allegheny County Park rangers will host a guided hike “Spring Birds” from 8 to 10 a.m. at Deer Lakes Park. Meet at the Carp 1 Shelter. The hike will be approximately two miles with moderate elevation changes. Bring water and binoculars if you have them and wear closed toe shoes. Reservations required. Reservations: tinyurl.com/5db8c2ex.