The Stroller, Aug. 23, 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.

New Kensington to celebrate Fridays on Fifth

The monthly Fridays on Fifth event will be from 5 to 9 p.m. Fifth along Fifth Avenue in New Kensington.

Shops, restaurants and breweries will be open and there will be music and food trucks. The events are sponsored by the city recreation commission

Opportunities available to help senior citizens

Open Your Heart to a Senior is looking for volunteers to help our older neighbors.

People are needed to drive to doctor appointments, shop for groceries and make calls to check on and say hello to people who are alone. For information, call 724-205-6282 or email oyhs@wfspa.org.

Amateur Astronomers plan free star parties

Amateur Astronomers Association of Pittsburgh will host free star parties at 8:15 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Nicholas E. Wagman Observatory, 225 Kurn Road, in Deer Lakes Regional Park, West Deer, weather permitting.

You can bring your telescope, and AAAP members will be happy to help you with set up and operation. Bring binoculars, a blanket and camping chair.

Please use only parking lights when entering through the park gate. Donations will be accepted. For details and weather updates, call 724-224-2510 or visit 3ap.org.

Calendar

Apollo

Today: 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.

Thursday: The Yarn Good Time needle arts group at Apollo Memorial Library will meet from 5 to 7 p.m. at the library, 219 N. Pennsylvania Ave. All ages and skill levels welcome. Details: 724-478-4214.

Brackenridge 

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

Buffalo Township 

Thursday : 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.

Brackenridge

Today: 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.

Freeport

Today: 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 Lenny Collini FamilyPaK at 7 p.m. 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: 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.

Thursday : 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.

Friday: 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.

Oct. 14: A gun bash will be from 2 to 6 p.m. at the Veterans of Foreign Wars, 894 Veterans Lane. Doors open at 1 p.m. Cost: $30, includes food and beverages. Sponsored by the post and auxiliary. Must be at least 21 to attend. No outside alcohol permitted. Tickets: Debbie, 412-298-6175.

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: 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. at First United Methodist Church, 251 Main St. Meetings are the fourth Thursday of each month.

Thursday: The farmers market will be open from 5 to 8 p.m. in the municipal lot beside Fox’s Pizza Den on Market St.

Lower Burrell  

Today: A family story time with songs and activities for all ages will be at 1 p.m. at Peoples Library, 3052 Wachter Ave. Details: 724-339-1021.

Today: There will be free DJ Trivia at 7 p.m. at the Moose, 499 Reimer St. Members and qualified guests welcome.

Today: Peoples Library will offer an online talk with Cassandra Clare., author of the final book of The Last Hours series, “Chain of Thorns” at 8 p.m. Registration required. Registration: libraryc.org/peopleslibrary.

Saturday : 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: Peoples Library, 880 Barnes St., will have a family story time at 11 a.m. with songs and activities for all ages at the library. Details: 724-339-1021.

Thursday: Knead Community Café in New Kensington will hand out free grab-and-go meals from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the cafe, 1011 Barnes St. Details: 878-847-7997.

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: 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.

Parks Township

Friday: Parks Township Volunteer Fire Department will host bingo at 7 p.m. in the firehall, 1119 Dalmation Drive. Doors open at 5 p.m.

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

Thursday: Lower Valley Community Food Bank will distribute food from 1 to 3 p.m. Thursday from the rear entrance of the Springdale borough building, 325 School St. Do not arrive before 12:45 p.m. Anyone in need of food who lives in Springdale, Springdale Township, Cheswick, Harmar and the sections of Indiana Township and West Deer with a zip code of 15024 is welcome. New recipients can register Thursday.

Tarentum

Today: 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.

Today: 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.

Weekdays: Free food and hygiene items are available at Highlands Family Center, 415 E. Fourth Ave., suite 12. Hours: noon to 8 p.m. Mondays, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays. Details: 724-224-9006.

Vandergrift

Today: 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: A new Creative Writing Club at Vandergrift Public Library will meet from 5 to 7 p.m. at the library, 128C Washington Ave. Writers who are at least 13 welcome. The group meets the fourth Thursday of each month. This is not an instructional program. Details: 724-568-1212.

Washington Township  

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

Friday: 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.

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.