The Stroller, Aug. 26, 2020: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley

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Annual Mutts & Margaritas event goes virtual this year

The Alle-Kiski Area HOPE Center will host its annual Mutts & Margaritas event virtually at 4 p.m. Sept. 12.

There will be a raffle, door prizes and a new scavenger hunt. The scavenger hunt will take place 48 hours before the event and will include tasks that registrants must complete, mostly with their dogs, and then email photo documentation. First, second and third prizes will be awarded. Raffle tickets will also be sold in advance.

Participants will receive an email invitation to attend the live event and can submit a photo of their dog to be entered into a dog photo contest. The contest will be in advance of the event at Ringer’s Pet Center, 3041 Freeport Road, Harrison. The winner will be announced at the live event and receive a trophy.

Cost is $20; $35 per couple. Those who register by Friday will receive an event t-shirt. To register, call 724-224-1100 or visit the events calendar at akhopecenter.org.

Library local history department open for research

The Local History department at Community Library of Allegheny Valley in Harrison now offers appointments to access library resources.

Appointments are available from noon to 4 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays and 10 a.m. to noon Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Access will be available to all local history resources including a computer, the microfilm reader and personal research assistance.

There is a limit of one hour per person daily. For an appointment, call 724-226-3491.

Fire companies plan ride to Flight 93 Memorial

Vandergrift No. 1 and Markle volunteer fire Department will host a Freedom Bike Ride Sept. 12.

Riders will gather at Vandergrift No. 1, 278 Franklin Ave. in Vandergrift. Kickstands up will be at 9 a.m. and the ride will proceed to the Flight 94 Memorial in Somerset County and back to Markle Fire Department. 470 Joyce St., Allegheny Township, for an after event.

Registration is $25 per rider; $40 for two riders, and includes an event t-shirt and lunch afterwards. If there are more than 250 registrants, a second group of 250 will be scheduled the same date at a later time.

To register, visit marklevfd.square.site and include shirt sizes. Proceeds will help the fire departments with upkeep of equipment and facilities, utilities and insurance.

Little Deer Creek Valley Road bridge reopens to traffic

PennDOT has completed bridge repairs on Little Deer Creek Valley Road in Indiana Township and the roadway has reopened to traffic between Crawford Run Road and Marshall Hill Road.

Work began on June 22 and included deck replacement, barrier repair, substructure work and other repairs. Minor cleanup work will continue and may require short-term restrictions.

Calendar

Apollo

Thursday: Apollo Council will conduct the regular meeting at 7 p.m. in Soldiers and Sailors Hall, Park Avenue. Details: 724-478-4201

Sept. 9: Apollo Hose Co. No. 2 is accepting orders for a Sprankle’s Hoagie sale. Paid orders are due by Sunday and pickup will be from noon to 5 p.m. Sept. 9. Varieties: baked ham, turkey, roast beef, deli, veggie, all for $7.50; deluxe Italian, $8. Orders: private message on the company Facebook page.

Sept. 12: St. James the Greater Church, 109 Owens View Drive, is accepting applications from vendors for an outdoor flea market and vendor fair. Hours: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Flea market donations will be accepted until Sept. 8. Registration and questions: Linda Grimm, 724-882-8776

Arnold

Sept. 5: Homemade doughnuts will be sold from 6 to 11 a.m. at Calvary Lutheran Church, 1721 Victoria Ave. Orders: 724-339-4830

Sept. 11: St. Vladimir Church, 1610 Kenneth Ave., is taking orders for its potato and kraut pierogi sale. Orders will be taken from 8 to 10 a.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays beginning Tuesday. Pickup will be from 12:30 to 4 p.m. Sept. 11 in the church social hall. Face masks required at pickup. Cost: $10 per dozen. Orders: 724-339-9257

Buffalo Township

Thursday: Zion United Methodist Church, 438 Bear Creek Road, will host a Vitalant community blood drive from 1 to 7 p.m. at the church family life center. Appointments recommended. Appointments: 412-209-7000 or visit the Donate Blood button at Vitalant.org and use group code C664

Cheswick

Today: Cheswick Planning Commission will conduct a planning meeting at 7 p.m. in the volunteer firehall, 1411 Spruce St.

Freeport

Today: The Thrift Store Clothing Ministry at Freeport United Methodist Church, 211 Fourth St., will be open from noon to 3 p.m. at the church. Cash only. Donations must be laundered. Details: 724-295-2476

Gilpin

Thursdays: Gilpin Volunteer Fire Department kitchen will be open from 5 to 7 p.m. for takeout food. Menu: visit the department Facebook page. Orders: 724-845-7200, leave a message

Harrison  

Sept. 18: St. Joseph High School is conducting a $20,000 Super Raffle. Cost: $100 per ticket. Prizes include a $20,000 grand prize, three $1,000 runner-up prizes. Winner need not be present. Only 500 tickets will be sold. Tickets: 724-224-5552 or SaintJosephhs.com. Proceeds help to keep tuition affordable for students at the school.

Kiski Township

Friday: Kiski Township Volunteer Firemen will host a take-out Food Extravaganza from 4:30 to 7 p.m. at the firehall, 1037 Route 56. Pull into the parking lot, exit your vehicle and select from four food stations set up in the truck bays. Menu: station 1: Philly steak sandwich and haluski; station 2: hamburgers and hotdogs; station 3: pulled pork fries, bacon and cheddar fries; and station 4: spaghetti and meatballs with roll.

Sept. 26: Kiski Township Fire Department will host a scrapbook day from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the firehall, 1037 Route 56. Cost: $25, includes lunch and dinner. Paid reservation deadline: Sept. 1. Reservations: 412-601-1782

Leechburg Area School District

Today: The Leechburg Area School Board will conduct the regular board meeting at 7:30 p.m. in the high school auditorium, 215 First St. Face masks and social distancing required.

New Kensington 

Oct. 24: Knead Community Café, 1011 Barnes St., is accepting applications from crafters and vendors for an outdoor fall harvest fair. Hours: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Rain or shine. Details: 878-302-3270 or kneadcommunitycafe.org/events

Oakmont

Saturday: Redeemer Lutheran Church will host a Vitalant community blood drive from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the church fellowship hall, 1261 Pennsylvania Ave. Appointments are recommended. All donors will be tested for antibodies to covid-19 for free. Appointments: Kaylee, 724-822-0382, email kaylanhagey@gmail.com or visit the Donate Blood button at Vitalant.org and use group code C5300082

Saxonburg

Sunday: GFWC Saxonburg will hold an online raffle for a Yeti cooler, 4 Yeti wine coolers, a $50 gift card to Heritage Wine Cellar and a $250 gift card to Thoma’s Meat Market. Cost: $20 per ticket. A separate 50/50 raffle will also be drawn. Cost: $5 per ticket. Ticket sales end at noon Saturday. The drawing will be at 2 p.m. Sunday on the group’s Facebook page. Tickets: visit the club website or call Debbie at 201-241-6331

Springdale

Sept. 13: Springdale Recreation Committee is accepting orders for a pepperoni roll sale. Pick up will be Sept. 13 at the borough office. Cost: $12 for a six-pack of rolls. Orders: 724-274-6800 or stop in at the borough office

Tarentum

Today: The Tarentum Farmers Market will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Face masks required.

Thursday: The Young Parents Support Group from Allegheny Family Network North will meet from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Tarentum Splash Park, First Avenue. Bring a blanket, towel and chair. Pizza and refreshments will be served. Reservations: Misty, 878-302-5508

Thursdays: Rams Youth Football Association will sponsor a weekly food truck fundraiser with Sonny’s Smorgasbord from 6 to 8 p.m. at Dreshar Stadium, First Avenue. A portion of proceeds will help the association keep costs affordable for families.

Vandergrift

Fridays and Saturdays: The Veterans of Foreign Wars will sell takeout food from 1 to 8 p.m. at the post, 141 Sumner Ave. Curb-side delivery available. Members welcome to dine in. Menu: visit the post Facebook page. Orders: 724-568-1427, after 1 p.m.

Ongoing: Vandergrift Public Library is conducting a Kid’s Summer Book Sale. Choose a type and theme for your child’s books, fill out an order form and librarians will contact you to go over details, confirm payment and schedule a pickup at the library. Cost: $10 per bag of gently-used books. Orders: 724-568-2212, or visit the library website.

Washington Township

Thursday: Washington Township Municipal Authority will meet at 7 p.m. in the township building, 285 Pine Run Church Road. Details: 724-727-5881

Cancellations and changes

Allegheny Township

Sept. 6 and 7: The annual Labor United Celebration planned for Northmoreland Park is canceled.

Brackenridge

October: The Prospect Cemetery annual ghost tours are canceled. Details: 724-224-4552

Ford City

Saturday: The Armstrong County Labor Day Parade and Ethnic Feastival are canceled.

Freeport

September: The annual September By the River festival is canceled.

October: The Freeport Halloween carnival is canceled. 

Harrison

All activities at Burtner House are canceled through the end of the year.

Jefferson

Oct. 3: The annual Oktoberfest at Concordia Lutheran Ministries is canceled. A drive-in fireworks display is still planned. Details will be announced.

Leechburg

Sept. 19: The annual Pink Day festival is canceled.

Oakmont

Sept. 19: The Fall Festival Street Sale planned by the Oakmont Chamber of Commerce is canceled.

Riverview Community Action Corp. is closed for all activities except home delivered meals. Questions: 412-828-1062

Parks Township

Oct. 3: The Cash Giveaway Bash sponsored by Upper Burrell and Parks volunteer fire companies is canceled.

Saxonburg

Sept. 12 and 13: The Saxonburg Festival of the Arts is canceled.

The weekly Mingle on Main events are canceled. Refunds will be sent to vendors who signed up.

Springdale 

Oct. 3: The Monte Carlo Night planned by Springdale High School Alumni Association is canceled. Association meetings are suspended until further notice.

Sept. 12: Springdale Volunteer Fire Department has canceled the Cash Bash. The 50/50 Progressive Raffle tickets dated May 9, 2020 will be drawn on Sept. 12. The fire company thanks everyone for their continued support during this trying time.

Sept. 13: The craft and vendor fair is canceled.

Tarentum

Thursday: The concert in Tarentum Park featuring the band American Pie is canceled.

Vandergrift

Aug. 30: The Age of Aquarius show at the Casino Theatre is canceled. Ticket refunds: Janice, 724-681-6667 or jlo129@live.com

Washington Township

Sept. 19: The annual Moonlight Bingo at Washington Township Volunteer Firehall is canceled.

Small Acts of Kindness

Did your neighbor call and check on you, or bring a face mask or groceries? The Stroller wants to recognize those around us who are performing small acts of kindness for others during this stressful time. Send a short, one-paragraph note highlighting someone and how they helped you, your family or your organization to The Stroller at vndnews@tribweb.com.