The Stroller, Aug. 2, 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 or The Stroller, 210 Wood St., Tarentum PA 15068. Please include a daytime telephone number.

---

Fort Armstrong Folk Festival to arrive in Kittanning

The 50th Annual Fort Armstrong Folk Festival opens Thursday and continues through Sunday at Riverfront Park, Kittanning.

The festival opens at 5 p.m. Thursday and noon Friday, Saturday and Sunday. There will be artists displaying their crafts, entertainment, a car cruise, food vendors, vehicle displays, spinning and blacksmith demonstrations and heritage music.

A fireworks display will be at 10 p.m. Saturday. For a schedule, visit armstrongfestival.com.

---

Salvation Army free lunch distribution offered Thursday

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

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

---

Coffee With a Cop planned in Allegheny Township

The Allegheny Township Police Department will host Coffee with a Cop from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Thursday at McDonald’s, 481 Hyde Park Road in the township.

Residents are welcome to ask questions, voice concerns and get to know the officers in their neighborhood. For questions, call 724-845-9410 or email butz@alleghenytownship.net.

---

Calendar

Allegheny Township

August: The Allegheny Township Lions rabies clinic is canceled.

Apollo

Wednesday: Apollo Memorial Library will host a family board game night from 5 to 7 p.m. at the library, 219 N. Pennsylvania Ave. Bring your game or play one of the library’s. Drop in anytime from 5 to 7 p.m. Details: 724-478-4214.

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.

Wednesdays and Saturdays: Apollo Area Historical Society Museum, 317 N. Second St., is open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Items sought for the museum include artifacts, yearbooks and photos from Apollo-Ridge High School, pictures or information about the Apollo Fairgrounds and photos from the 1991 Septiquin-Centennial parade. Details: ApolloPAHistory@gmail.com.

Thursday: Apollo Area Historical Society will meet at 6:30 p.m. at the WCTU Building, 317 N. Second St. New members welcome.

Aug. 9: The Teen Book Club at Apollo Memorial Library will meet at 5 p.m. at the library, 219 N. Pennsylvania Ave. Students age 13 to 18 welcome. Copies of the book are free while supplies last. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-478-4214.

Aug. 11: St. James Parish is selling tickets for a Full Moon $2,500 cash raffle. Cost: $10, includes two 3-digit numbers. The winning number will be the 7 p.m. Aug. 11 Pa. Lottery Pick-3 number. Tickets: Linda, 724-882-8776, after Mass in the church vestibule and at the parish office.

Bethel

Saturday : The Outdoor Discovery Center at Crooked Creek, 142 Kerr Road, will offer a nature writing workshop from 10 a.m. to noon at the center. Author and Pennsylvania Master Naturalist trainee Sandra Stanko will be the instructor. Cost: $8. Must be at least 13 years old to attend. No experience necessary. Reservations required. Reservations: armstrongcenter.org/odc-events.

Aug. 9: The Armstrong Nature Book Club will meet at 7 p.m. at the Outdoor Discovery Center at Crooked Creek, 142 Kerr Road. The selection will be, “H is for Hawk,” by Helen McDonald. Reservations and masks required. Reservations and details: armstrongcenter.org/odc-events.

Aug. 27: Summer’s Last Fling, a fundraiser for the Outdoor Discovery Center at Crooked Creek, will be from 6 to 9 p.m. at the center, 142 Kerr Road. There will be music by the 7 Mile Run Band, a rock-climbing wall, food, drinks, raffles, silent auction and nature activities for the whole family. Admission: $20; children, $12. Tickets: tinyurl.com/bdf4jj5k.

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.

Saturday: A drag queen bingo to benefit cancer patient Kevin Coudriet will be at 4 p.m. Aug. 6 at the Brackenridge American Legion, 845 First Ave. Doors open at 2 p.m. Cost: $35, includes food. Extra packages and daubers will be sold and there will be a cash bar, refreshments, small games of chance, a silent auction and 50/50. Tickets: 724-814-0180.

Butler County

Thursday: The National Alliance on Mental Illness of Butler County will offer a free online support group at 7 p.m. at Zoom.us for families and friends of those living with a mental illness. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-431-0069 or info@namibutler.org.

Cheswick

Aug. 7 to 11: Cheswick Christian Fellowship will host a free vacation Bible school, “Rocky Railway,” from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the church, 1407 Pittsburgh St. Details: 724-274-4846.

East Franklin

Wednesday : Harvest Church will host a free dinner and evening of encouragement at 6:30 p.m. for teachers as they prepare to start the new school year at the church, 143 Reed Road. Reservations required. Reservations: harvestpa.org/events.

Freeport

Wednesday: 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 summer clothing, shoes, bedding and purses welcome. Donations must be laundered and free from pet hair. Details: 724-295-3095.

Thursday: Freeport Renaissance Association will meet at 7 p.m. at 1833 Coffee and Tea, 300 Fifth St. New members welcome.

Sept. 17 and 18: Freeport Renaissance Association is accepting vendor applications for the annual September By the River event. Hours: noon to 8 p.m. Sept. 17 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 18. Art, food and business vendors welcome. Details: freeportcommunity.com or septbytheriver@gmail.com.

Gilpin

Thursday: Gilpin Volunteer Fire Department will host bingo at 7:15 p.m. at the firehall, 113 Firehall Road.

Hampton

Wednesday: “Clifford the Big Red Dog,” rated PG, will be shown as part of the free Allegheny County Family Fun Drive-In movie series at Hartwood Acres Amphitheater. Gates open at 7:30 p.m. and the show begins at dusk. Gates close when the movie starts. Capacity is limited to the first 300 vehicles. Details: Allegheny County Parks on Facebook.

Harmar

Thursday: The free music series at 7 p.m. in the Pittsburgh Shrine Center pavilion, 1877 Shriners Way, will feature the Lenny Collini 4Pak. Gates open at 6 p.m. Rain or shine. Free parking and food and drinks will be available. No tailgating, outside food or beverages permitted. The weekly event is sponsored by Band Together Pittsburgh, Moondog’s and the Pittsburgh Shrine Center.

Aug. 11: Fox Chapel Area High School will host a Vitalant community blood drive from 1 to 6:30 p.m. at the Vitalant Donor Center, 2585 Freeport Road, Suite 207. Appointments recommended, but walk-ins are welcome. Donors must be at least 16. Appointments: visit the Donate Blood button at donateblood.centralbloodbank.org and use group code HS010025 or contact Cyndi Funk at 412-477-2957 or cfunk@vitalant.org.

Harrison   

Wednesday: Allegheny Family Network offers a virtual lunch and learn program with parents from noon to 1:30 p.m. the first Wednesday of each month. The group teaches parents how to advocate for their children and improve their parenting skills. Reservations required. Reservations: tinyurl.com/58yutr8k.

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 fall and back-to-school summer clothing in all sizes is needed. Masks optional. Bring donations on Wednesday or leave them on the front porch. Do not place donations in the blue bins behind the church.

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.

Jefferson

Thursday: Bingo will be at 6:30 p.m. at the American Legion, 754 N. Pike Road. Doors open at 5 p.m. Under new management with higher payouts. 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 and face masks required. Ancestry.com and Newspaper.com are available. Details: Judy, 724-681-9154.

Thursday: A New Path Al-Anon Family Group, a free, confidential program for anyone whose life has been affected by someone else’s drinking, will meet at 7 p.m. in First United Methodist Church, 251 Main St.

Lower Burrell  

Aug. 13: Church of God is accepting space reservations for a parking lot treasures sale planned from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the church, 273 Chester Dr. Cost: $5 per space. Rain date: Aug. 20. Reservations and details: 724-335-4422 or lbcog@hotmail.com.

New Kensington

Today: 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. Items available include clothing for all members of the family, shoes and linens. First-time customers receive 15 free items. Summer clothing donations accepted during business hours.

Thursday: Knead Community Café in New Kensington will hand out free grab-and-go meals from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the café, 1011 Barnes St. This week’s meals are sponsored by Mother of Sorrows Parish

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. Vendor spaces available. Details: 724-335-7221, ext. 106 or laruen.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.

Thursdays: The Secular Organization for Sobriety/Save Our Selves (SOS) a support group for people recovering from alcohol and drug abuse, will meet a 7 p.m. at Lost Dreams Awakening Recovery Community Center, 408 Eighth St. Details: 724-556-0737.

Aug. 21: Sponsors are needed for a back-to-school bash planned at Lost Dreams Awakening Recovery Center, 408 Eighth St., rear. Details: Ronel, 412-219-8313 or Laurie, 724-594-7903.

Oakmont

Today: Taking Pounds Off Sensibly (TOPS) meets at 6 p.m. at Oakmont United Methodist Church, 419 Maryland Ave. Monthly dues: $5; first meeting is free. Details: vrevilla@pointpark.edu.

Oakmont/Frazer 

Through Aug. 31: Panera Bread Café will donate a portion of sales from each Frozen Agave Lemonade, Frozen Strawberry Lemonade, Lemon Drop Cookie and Lemonade tote sold to Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, a pediatric cancer charity that funds cancer treatment and research. Donations will also be accepted. Participating stores include Pittsburgh Mills Mall, Frazer, and Allegheny River Blvd., Oakmont.

O’Hara

Saturday : A drag queen bingo featuring Divine Divas to benefit Guyasuta Youth Football will be from 5 to 10 p.m. at Comfort Inn RIDC, 180 Gamma Drive. Doors open at 4 p.m. Admission: $25. Must be at least 18 to attend. Food and drinks will be sold. Tickets: tinyurl.com/mvec3ncw.

Rayburn  

Aug. 13: A cash bash to benefit Rory Ridge Horse Rescue will be from 4 to 7 p.m. at Rayburn Volunteer Fire Department, 102 Water Tower Road. Doors open at 3:30 p.m. Cost: $20, includes food and drinks. There will be strip tickets, a basket raffle and 50/50. Winners need not be present. Tickets: 724-859-1972 or roryridgerescue@gmail.com.

Saxonburg

Today: Author Jeffrey W. Neal will discuss his book, “What A Long Strange It’s Been,” at 6 p.m. at South Butler Community Library, 240 W. Main St. A 1981 Knoch High School graduate, he was an educator for 34 years in a Florida school system. No reservations required. Details: 724-352-4810.

Tarentum 

Wednesday: The Tarentum Farmers Market will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the upper parking lot at First United Presbyterian Church, 913 Lock St.

Wednesday: BridgePointe Church will have its free children’s summer reading program from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the church library, 400 E. Ninth Ave. Lunch and a snack will be served. This is the last session of the summer. Details: 724-671-7580.

Wednesday: 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.

Thursday: The free diaper bank at Highlands Family Center, 415 E. Fourth Ave., will be open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. One distribution per child per month is available. Details: 724-224-9006.

Sept. 8 to 10: Summit Hose Co. is accepting crafter and vendor applications for its Fall Festival. No food vendors, please. Details: Tami Sudy, 878-302-5367 or tamisudy@gmail.com.

Upper Burrell 

Aug. 28: Sky View Radio Society is accepting reservations for flea market tailgating spaces at its Swap N’ Shop Hamfest set for 8 a.m. to noon at the society grounds, 2335 Turkey Ridge Road. Cost: $5 per space. Reservations and details: John Italiano, 724-339-3821.

Vandergrift

Today: 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.

Thursday: The Farmer’s Market will be open from 4 to 6:30 p.m. in the Columbia Avenue parking lot.

Aug. 9 and 10: Vandergrift Public Library will host a Carnegie Science Center Science in the Summer program, “Be A Biologist,” for elementary school children at the library, 128C Washington Ave. Schedule: second and third grades, 5 to 6 p.m. and fourth and fifth grades, 6:15 to 7:15 p.m. Children should attend both days. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-568-2212.

Washington Township

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

West Deer 

Today: A food truck rally will be from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Nike Site Park, 4834 Gibsonia Road. Sponsored by the township parks and recreation board.

Friday: West Deer Parks and Recreation Board will sponsor a Movie in the Park at dusk in the Bairdford Park pavilion. Bring a chair or blanket. Popcorn and water will be served. Reservations required. Reservations: Jodi French, 724-265-3680 or jfrench@westdeertownship.com.

Sept. 24: East Union Presbyterian Church is accepting space reservations for a fall craft show at the church, 292 East Union Road. Details: Mary Lynn, 412-767-5750.

West Leechburg

Saturday: An 80s Beach Bash will be from noon to 5 p.m. at West Leechburg Volunteer Firehall, 1116 Gosser St. Doors open at 11 a.m. Prizes will include $1,500 cash, purses by Kate Spade, Coach and Dooney & Burke, assorted firearms and a Liberty gun safe. Cost: $25 and winner need not be present. Tickets: 724-332-9090. Proceeds benefit the Leechburg, Gilpin, West Leechburg and Parks volunteer fire departments.