The Stroller, Aug. 26, 2021: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley

Publicize your club meetings, community events and fundraisers for free in The Stroller. Send information at least a week in advance to vndnews@triblive.com. Please include a daytime telephone number.

Family fun day planned Saturday at Vandergrift church

First United Methodist Church, Vandergrift, will sponsor a free family fun day from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the church, 134 Custer Ave. Rain or shine.

There will be music, a petting zoo, a puppet show at 11 a.m., hot dogs, snacks, crafts and face painting from noon to 2 p.m. and a Blessing of the Backpacks ceremony at 1:30 p.m. Free school supplies and backpacks will be handed out. Everyone is welcome.

Vendor show to benefit Kotecki scholarship fund

The 10th annual K9 Officer Derek Kotecki Baskets for the Blue basket raffle and vendor show will be from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday at Hill Crest Country Club, Lower Burrell.

Enter through the front doors and follow the signs to the Crest Room. Proceeds benefit the Officer Kotecki Scholarship Fund.

Free digital literacy workshops scheduled

The Private Industry Council of Westmoreland/Fayette Inc. will offer free Digital Literacy workshops once a week beginning Sept. 1 at the CareerLink offices in Lemont Furnace, Youngwood and New Kensington.

The workshops are available to anyone whether or not they have computer experience. Topics will include computer basics, how to search for and apply for jobs online, basics of social media and more.

For details, contact Shannon Singosky at 724-836-2600 or ssingosky@privateindustrycouncil.com.

Blues Traveler to headline free concert in Kittanning

The Arts on the Allegheny summer concert series will feature a free concert by Blues Traveler at 7 p.m. Saturday in John P. Murtha Amphitheater in Riverfront Park, Kittanning.

Food vendors will open at 5 p.m.

Calendar

Allegheny Township

Sunday: A fundraiser to benefit the Kiski Area Marching Band will be from 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. at King’s Family Restaurant, 315 Hyde Park Road. Dine in or takeout. Reservations required for dine in. Take a flyer with you and King’s will donate 20% of your pre-tax food and non-alcoholic beverage purchase to the band. Flyers required. For a flyer visit Kiski Area Bands on Facebook or contact Jodie at 412-952-1141 or jodieorowitz@gmail.com. Reservations: 724-842-0361

Apollo

Sept. 6: St. James Parish is selling tickets for a Labor Day lottery ticket raffle. The winner will receive one roll of $5, $10 and $20 Pa. Lottery scratch-off tickets. Cost: $10 for two numbers. The winning number will be the first officially drawn Pick 3 number at 7 p.m. on Labor Day. Proceeds benefit the church operating budget. Tickets: Linda, 724-882-8776, at the parish office or in the vestibule after weekend Masses.

Sept. 18: Tickets are on sale for the Apollo Area Historical Society 50+1 Anniversary banquet planned at Apollo First Evangelical Lutheran Church, 214 N. Pennsylvania Ave. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Admission: $25. Tickets: 724-478-2899, stop in from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays at the WCTU Building, 317 N. Second St., or send a check made out to AAHS to P. O. Box 434, Apollo PA 15613

Arnold

Saturday: The Tomb, formerly known as Sheep Coffeehouse, 1821 Fifth Ave., will have fellowship at 7:30 p.m. Free Lunch with Us from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays. Details: 724-339-8888

Brackenridge

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

Buffalo Township

Today: Zion United Methodist 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 click on the Schedule Now or New Donor buttons. Search for group code C664.

Butler

Saturday: Butler Lions Club will sell merchandise to benefit charity at the Butler City Farm Market. Items for sale include brooms, dustpans, garbage bags, fire starters, mints and cleaning cloths.

Cheswick

Today: The Pittsburgh Shrine Center will present a free outdoor concert featuring blues band Shot O’ Soul from 7 to 9 p.m. under cover at the center, 1877 Shriners Way, Cheswick. Gates open at 6 p.m. Seating and tables will be provided, and food and beverages will be sold. No outside food and beverages, please.

East Vandergrift   

Sept. 6: Our Lady, Queen of Peace Parish is selling tickets for a Labor Day weekend cash raffle. Winners will be the first officially drawn Pick 3 number of the 7 p.m. Sept. 4, 5 and 6 drawings. Prizes are $500 Sept. 4 and 5 and $1,500 Sept. 6. Cost: $10 for two numbers. Tickets: Debbie, 724-859-3186, at the parish office or in the vestibule after weekend Masses.

Sept. 18: Our Lady, Queen of Peace Church will have a cash bash at 7 p.m. the church, 420 McKinley Ave. Doors open at 5 p.m. Admission: $25, includes food, beverages and chances to win $3,000 in prizes. Must be at least 21 to attend. There will be pull tabs, 50/50 raffles and a basket raffle. Tickets: Crystal, 724-882-9212, at the parish office or in the church vestibule after Sunday Mass

Freeport

Today: Freeport’s Food Truckin’ will be from 4 to 8 p.m. in the parking lot of Laube Hall. Vendor fees are $25 for the first week and $50 for each additional week and will benefit Restore Freeport Community Park. Details: Jackie, 724-234-9373

Gilpin

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

Harrison

Today: A car cruise will be from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Veterans of Foreign Wars, 894 Veterans Drive, Natrona Heights. All makes, models, trucks and bikes welcome. There will be food, music, drink specials and a 50/50 raffle.

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.

Kiski Township

Saturday: A flea market and craft show will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the parking lot of Kiski Township Firehall, 1037 Route 56. Cost: $10 per space. Vendor information: 724-681-2023

Kittanning

Today: Armstrong County Historical Museum, 300 N. McKean St., will be open for tours from 1 to 3 p.m. Free admission. Alternate hours available by appointment. Free parking is available behind the building via the North Grant Avenue entrance. Details: 724-548-5707

Lower Burrell

Saturday: The Lower Burrell Farmers Market will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the municipal building, 2800 Schreiber St. The Lions Club will sell brooms.

Saturday: The Veterans of Foreign Wars will feature the DJ Tink Heavner from 8 to 11 p.m. at the post. Members and three guests welcome.

Sept. 11: Church of God is accepting space reservations for a parking lot treasures sale set for 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the church, 273 Chester Dr. Cost: $5 for two parking spaces No food vendors please. Reservations and details: 724-335-4422 or lbcog@hotmail.com

New Kensington

Today: Knead Community Café in New Kensington will hand out free grab-and-go dinners from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the café, 1011 Barnes St. This week’s meals are sponsored in loving memory of Jack and Joanne Ladish. Those picking up meals are reminded to observe social distancing while waiting in line.

Today: 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 with new selections. Social distancing will be observed, and masks are required except when eating. Public welcome. Details: 724-448-7403

Friday: The Fridays on Fifth food truck event will be from 5 to 9 p.m. on Fifth Avenue, between Ninth and 11^th streets. Sponsored by the city recreation committee.

Saturday and Monday: The Community Clothes Closet, 1129 Kenneth Ave., will have a free sale from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The closet offers clothing for all members of the family, uniforms for students at Mary Queen of Apostles School, shoes, purses, household items, linens and blankets. Donations accepted during open hours only. Take a free chance on a monthly basket raffle.

Oct. 9: Tables reservations are being accepted for a craft and vendor show at East Ken Community Center, 1785 Seventh St. Cost: $10. Details: Marie, 724-472-5106

Oct. 16: Knead Community Café is accepting space applications from crafters and vendors for a harvest fair set for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the café, 1011 Barnes St. Applications: marciecoveyleo@gmail.com or stop in from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays or 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays at the cafe

Plum

Today: Holiday Park Volunteer Fire Department will host bingo at the firehall, 415 Old Abers Creek Road. Doors open at 5 p.m. Face masks required. Details: holidayparkvfd.org/ under the weekly bingo tab.

Springdale

Today: A mobile covid-19 vaccination clinic will be available from noon to 4 p.m. at Springdale Free Public Library, 331 School St. No registration required. Vaccines will be provided at no cost. Details: 724-274-9729

Sept. 3: Springdale Veterans of Foreign Wars will host a community blood drive from 12:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the lodge ballroom, 1151 Pittsburgh St. Appointments recommended. Bring ID. Donors will receive a free T-shirt. Appointments: 412-209-7000 or visit donateblood.centralbloodbank.org and search for group code C3750040.

Tarentum 

Saturday: 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

Upper Burrell

Sunday: Sky View Radio Society is accepting reservations for flea market tailgating spaces for its annual Swap n Shop Hamfest set for 8 a.m. to noon at the society grounds, 2335 Turkey Ridge Road. Cost: $5. Reservations: John, 724-339-3821

Vandergrift

Today: St. Gertrude Church will sell frozen meatballs and spaghetti sauce from 4 to 6 p.m. by curbside pickup at the church social hall, 303 Franklin Ave. Cost: sauce, $7 per quart; meatballs, six for $3. Please enter the driveway near Sandra Lynn’s Dance School and follow the arrows to the social hall door. Items will also be available after the Saturday and Sunday Masses at the church while supplies last.

Today: The Farmers Market will be open from 4 to 6:30 p.m. in the Columbia Avenue parking lot. Details: vandergriftfarmersmarket.weebly.com/

Tuesday: Vandergrift Public Library is raffling a patriotic quilt made and donated by library patron Jane Strohm to benefit the library. Cost: $1 each or $5 for an arm’s length. The drawing will be Tuesday. Tickets: stop in at the library, 128C Washington Ave. For a photo of the quilt, visit vandergriftpubliclibary.org. Details: 724-568-2212

Verona

Sept. 18: Twin Boro Apaches Football Team will sponsor a comedy night at 8 p.m. in the Eagles upstairs ballroom, 315 James St. There will be a DJ and three comedians. Admission: $25, includes beer and Italian buffet. Tickets: J.B. Schaal, 412-735-5806 or Joe, 412-337-0384 The event is part of the Verona 150^th anniversary celebration.

Washington Township

Friday: Washington Township Volunteer Fire Company will have Friday Night 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.