The Stroller, Aug. 15, 2023: 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.

Mutts, Meows and Margaritas event to benefit HOPE Center

The Alle-Kiski Area HOPE Center will host its sixth annual Mutts, Meows and Margaritas event from 4 to 7 p.m. Sept. 9 at the Harrison Veterans of Foreign Wars pavilion, 894 Veterans Drive.

There will be activities for the dogs, a buffet, raffle, door prizes, vendors, music and margaritas. Feline lovers should email a photo of their cat in advance to maryb@akhomecenter.org so a special lanyard can be prepared to be worn at the event. Tickets are $25 each; or $35 per couple. Reservations made by Aug. 25 will be entered into a special drawing. Vendor spaces are available.

For information and a reservation form, call 724-224-1100 or visit akhopecenter.org.

Springdale HS to celebrate fall sports

The Springdale High School Dynamo Fanfest will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the high school soccer field.

Fall teams will be introduced and there will be food and sales by the fall booster groups.

American Cancer Society seeks volunteer drivers

The American Cancer Society is looking for volunteers to drive cancer patients to treatment appointments.

Access to timely, high-quality treatment can often be a cancer patient’s largest roadblock to survival. The society’s Road to Recovery program fills the gap when friends and family are unable to help out.

For information and to offer your time, visit cancer.org/drive.

Free lunches available at Brackenridge Salvation Army

The Allegheny Valley Salvation Army and Community Center will distribute free grab-and-go lunches from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in parking lot at the center, 917 Brackenridge Ave.

Free grocery items from Walmart and Aldi will be available. Everyone is welcome.

Calendar

Apollo

Wednesday: A card party will be from 6:30 to 8:30 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.

Wednesday: 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.

Wednesdays and Saturdays: Apollo Area Historical Society Museum, 317 N. Second St., will be open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Details: 724-478-2849 or 724-212-9255.

Aug. 25: Roaring Run Watershed Association will host a program for students about the Civil War and how soldiers lived from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. at the trail. Reservations required. Reservations: Chris, 724-640-6696.

Arnold 

Saturday : A paint night fundraiser to benefit Speed Family Blessing Box and Pantry Inc. will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Aug. 19 at the pantry, 1702 Fifth Ave. Cost: $40, includes 11 x 14-inch canvas and all supplies. Tickets: tinyurl.com/yc5y6wt9.

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.

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

Buffalo Township

Aug. 24: Zion Methodist Community 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 vitalant.org and search for group code UC664 or zip code 16055.

Freeport

Wednesday: 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.

Harmar

Thursday: The free Pittsburgh Brewing Co. Thunder Summer Music Series will feature the Jimmy Adler Blues Band at 7 p.m. Thursday at the pavilion at the Syria Shrine Center, 1877 Shriners Way. Gates open at 6 p.m., rain or shine. There is free parking, and food and beverages will be sold. No tailgating or outside food or drinks are permitted.

Harrison

Today: The Accordion Club is seeking new players of all ages. Meetings are from 6 to 8 p.m. the first and third Tuesday of each month at 6003 Freeport Road. Details: 724-236-0665.

Wednesday: 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 new 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.

Wednesday: 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. Clothing will be available at very low cost. Donations welcome during these hours.

Wednesday: The Agape Thrift Shop at Grace United Methodist Church, 1333 Freeport Road, will be open from 1 to 4 p.m. Clean fall and back-to-school 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.

Aug. 23: The Kitchen Sink Book Club at Community Library of Allegheny Valley will meet at 6 p.m. at the library, 1522 Broadview Blvd. The selection will be “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho. Copies are available at the circulation desk. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-226-3491 or alleghenyvalleylibrary.org.

Aug. 24: Shevawn Timko from the Highland Senior Center will be at Community Library of Allegheny Valley, 1522 Broadview Blvd., from 2 to 4 p.m. to provide information and answer questions about the Seniors Farmers Market Voucher program, Access 65 Plus, energy assistance and more. Proxy forms will be available and the $50 vouchers will be available while supplies last. Just drop in – no reservations required.

Jefferson

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.

Kittanning

Thursday and Sunday: Armstrong County Historical Museum, 300 N. McKean St., will be open from 1 to 3 p.m. Hours may change for special events. Free parking is available behind the museum via North Grant Avenue. Details: 724-548-5707 or achgs300@gmail.com or visit Armstrong County Historical Museum/Genealogical Society on Facebook.

Leechburg

Thursday: Leechburg Volunteer Fire Company will host a car cruise from 5 to 9 p.m. at the firehall, 268 Canal St. There will be music, food and entertainment.

Thursday: The free genealogy group at Leechburg Area Museum and Historical Society will take a trip to the Carnegie Library, 4400 Forbes Ave., in the Oakland section of Pittsburgh. Details: Judy, 724-681-9154.

Lower Burrell  

Today: The Material Girls sewing group will meet at 7 p.m. at Puckety United Presbyterian Church, 1009 Puckety Church Road. New members welcome. The group meets the third Tuesday of each month and there are no dues. Details: Dee Shaffer, 724-335-6645 or shaffer37@comcast.net.

Aug. 26: Burrell High School Marching band is accepting registrations for vendors and vehicles for its third annual car and motorcycle show planned for 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the high school, Puckety Church Road. Cost: vehicles, $10. Details: burrellbandvp@gmail.com.

New Kensington

Today and Saturday: The Community Clothes Closet, 1129 Kenneth Ave., will be open from noon to 2 p.m. today and 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. Items available include clothing for all members of the family, shoes and linens. First-time customers receive 15 free items. Winter clothing donations welcome during business hours.

Thursday: Sally’s Outdoor Market will be from 2 to 6 p.m. weather permitting, at the Salvation Army, 255 Third St. There will be fresh produce, plants, baked goods, hot foods and more. Free backpacks will be distributed from 4 to 6 p.m. Vendor spaces available. Details: 724-335-7221, ext. 106 or lauren.suprano@use.salvationarmy.org.

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 Cafe, 1011 Barnes St., New Kensington, will host its monthly dine-in Breaking Bread dinner at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at the cafe. The meal is sponsored in memory of Joanne Loperfito by family and friends. No takeout meals will be available. Details: 878-847-7997.

Oakmont

Today: Taking Pounds Off Sensibly (TOPS) meets at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 1261 Pennsylvania Ave. Private weigh-ins will be from 5:45 to 6:10 p.m. and the meeting will be afterward. The first meeting is free. Please note the new location. Details: 412-828-3854 or jmjkwj@gmail.com.

Parks Township

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

Saxonburg

Sept. 9 and 10: Entries are being accepted for the 37^th annual fine art display at Saxonburg Memorial Presbyterian Church, Main Street. Ribbons and cash prizes will be awarded in professional, non-professional and student categories. Details: 724-352-3403 or saxonburgfineart.com.

Springdale   

Wednesday : Springdale Free Public Library will host a craft workshop at 1 p.m. at the library, 331 School St. reservations required. Reservations: 724-274-9729.

Tarentum

Wednesday: The Elks will have 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.

Wednesday: The borough farmers market will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the parking lot of First United Presbyterian Church, 913 Lock St.

Vandergrift

Today: Vandergrift Public Library will have a family game night from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the library, 128C Washington Ave. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-568-2212.

Wednesday: 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: The Gathering on Grant event sponsored by the Vandergrift Business Association will be from 5 to 8 p.m. on Grant Avenue. The theme will be Island Luau. There will be music, vendors, food trucks and entertainment.

Washington Township 

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

Aug. 27: Skyview Radio Society is accepting space reservations for its swap and shop event set for 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the club grounds, 2335 Turkey Ridge Road. Cost: $5. Bring your own table. Details: John, 724-339-3821 or K3mjw@arrl.net.

Sept. 30: Community Church of Pine Run EMC is accepting vendor applications for its annual fall Scholarship Festival set for noon to 4 p.m. at Kunkle Park, 283 Pine Run Church Road. Fee: $15. Details: pinerunemc.org/fallfestival2023.

West Deer

Today: West Deer Parks and Recreation Board will sponsor a food truck rally from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Nike Site, 4832 Gibsonia Road. This will be the final event of the season.