The Stroller, Aug. 6, 2024: 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.

Leechburg Mingle on Market to host Bike Night

This month’s Mingle On Market event Thursday in Leechburg will be a bike night.

Hours are 7 to 9 p.m. Food trucks will open at 5 p.m. and there will be entertainment, a farmers market and vendors.

Bikers are invited to park on Market Street between the State Farm Insurance office and the Sunoco gas station. The event is sponsored by the Leechburg Area Community Association.

Free meal distribution slated at Knead Community Cafe

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

This week’s meals are sponsored in memory of Ruth Keally Simpson. To sponsor a meal, visit kneadcommunitycafe.org or call 878-847-7997.

Harmar concert series to feature Pierce Dipner

The free Thunder Thursdays Summer Music Series will feature blues artist Pierce Dipner in concert Thursday at the pavilion at the Syria Shrine Center, 1877 Shriners Way, Harmar.

Concerts start at 7 p.m., rain or shine. Gates open at 6 p.m. There is free parking and food and beverages will be sold. Tailgating and outside food and drinks are not permitted.

Calendar

Apollo

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.

Apollo/East Vandergrift

Aug. 14: Our Lady, Queen of Peace and St. James parishes will sponsor a bus trip to Rivers Casino in Pittsburgh. The bus will leave at 9 a.m. from the St. James Church parking lot in Apollo. Cost: $35, includes driver gratuity and $20 in free play. Must be at least 21. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-478-4958.

Bethel

Saturday : The Outdoor Discovery Center at Crooked Creek will celebrate National S’mores Day from 7 to 9:30 p.m. at the center, 142 Kerr Road. There will be a campfire, stories and s’mores. Cost: $8. Reservations required. Reservations: armstrongodc.org.

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 be at 7:15 p.m. at the American Legion, 845 First Ave. Details: 724-994-6030.

Thursday: 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 the center parking lot, 917 Brackenridge Ave. Free grocery items from Walmart and Aldi will be available. Everyone is welcome.

Sept. 21: The auxiliaries of Pioneer Hose and Hilltop Hose companies will host a super bingo at Pioneer Hose Company, 124 Morgan St. Doors open at 11:30 a.m., early birds start at 12:45 p.m. and regular bingo begins at 1 p.m. Cost: $35, in advance, will be $40 at the door; includes a light lunch and bingo packet. There will be 20 regular games, specials and a $1,000 must-go jackpot game. Tickets: 724-882-5908.

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.

Harrison 

Monday through Friday: The Natrona Playground Summer Camp for children serves a free lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. weekdays at the playground, 10 River Ave. Free classes will be from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Programs this week are: today, rocks and geology with the Carnegie Museum of Natural History; and Thursday, making slime with Mad Science.

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: 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 for all members of the family available at very low cost. Donations welcome during these hours. Everyone welcome.

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

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 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.

Sept. 14: A happy hour cash bash will be from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Veterans of Foreign Wars, 894 Veterans Lane. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Cost: $25; includes food and five numbers for the drawing; $10, food only. Karaoke with Bucky will be afterward. Cash bar. Funds raised will be donated to the post building fund. Tickets: Deb, 412-298-6157 or dmckillop@hotmail.com or the post, 724-904-7649.

Sept. 8: Table reservations are being accepted by the Veterans of Foreign Wars for a craft show set for 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the post, 894 Veterans Drive. Cost: $25; with electric, $30. Details: Deb, 412-298-6175 or dmckillop@hotmail.com.

Jefferson Township

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.

Leechburg

Wednesdays and Saturdays: Leechburg Area Museum, 118 First St., will be open from noon to 3 p.m.

Lower Burrell   

Aug. 16: Westmoreland County Marines No. 1416 is selling tickets for a $1,000 meat raffle. The winning number will be the 7 p.m. Pennsylvania Lottery three-digit number. The winner receives $1,000 worth of meat from Sprankle’s Markets, a four-burner Char-Broil grill, grill cover, stainless steel utensils and a 20-pound propane tank. Cost: $10, includes two numbers. Tickets: Jim Walters, 724-681-6293 or waltersusmc@comcast.net.

New Kensington

Today: The Parkinson Foundation of Western Pennsylvania hosts a Parkinson’s wellness class from 1:15 to 2 p.m. at Valley Points Family YMCA, 800 Constitution Blvd. The program is a mix of exercises designed to help someone manage their Parkinson’s Disease more effectively and includes aerobic and resistance training, stretching, balance, facial and voice exercises. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-335-9191 or tinyurl.com/5n8jp8y9.

Wednesday: The Ken High Class of 1960 will meet for lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Knead Community Café, 1011 Barnes St. The group meets the first Wednesday of the month. Spouses and guests welcome. Details: Robert Grden, 440-269-0345 or bgconcord@aol.com.

Thursday: The Salvation Army will host a free backpack giveaway from 4 to 6 p.m. while supplies last for children in kindergarten through 12^th grade at the gym entrance of center, 255 Third St. No reservations required. Children must be present. Sally’s Outdoor Market will distribute free fresh produce from 2 to 6 p.m. while supplies last.

Thursday: New Kensington Eagles Auxiliary Bingo will be at 7 p.m. at the aerie, 2134 Freeport Road. Doors open at 5 p.m. Sales are from 6 to 6:50 p.m. Cost: $25 for a 12-on package; specials will be available. The kitchen will be open. Public welcome. Details: 724-448-7403.

Friday : Pa. Rep. Jill Cooper will host a free afternoon with Summit Legal Aid from 1 to 4 p.m. at Valley Points Family YMCA, 800 Constitution Blvd. Learn about your legal rights. There will be free refreshments, basket raffle and activities. Reservations are encouraged, but not required. Reservations: 800-846-0871 or tinyurl.com/4nmkxt9j.

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. Details: 412-828-3854 or jmjkwj@gmail.com.

Through August 31: Kerr Memorial Museum, 402 Delaware Ave., Oakmont, is featuring an exhibit of elegant fashions of the late 1800s to the Roaring ‘20s at the museum. Items on display were donated to the museum by the W. H. Brown Family of Pittsburgh. Hours are by appointment. Tours and information: 412-826-9295 to schedule a tour.

Pittsburgh

Aug. 14: UMPC St. Margaret Hospital will offer a free Heartsaver CPR/AED training for adults from 6 to 9 p.m. to noon in the hospital lower-level conference center, 815 Freeport Road. Reservations required. Reservations: UPMC.com/classes and search for Heartsaver CPR/AED Training for Adults.

Plum

Today: The Plum Food Pantry, 81 Sandune Drive, distributes free food from 5 to 6:30 p.m. the first three Tuesdays of each month. Details: 724-327-0367.

Thursday to Aug. 16: A basket auction to benefit Beach Dog Rescue of Costa Maya, Mexico, will be at John Anthony’s Restaurant, 115 Center New Texas Road. Cost: $10 for 25 tickets. Can be purchased during regular business hours from the servers and staff. The drawing will be at 8 p.m. Aug. 16 at which time the owner of the rescue and a rescue dog will be present.

Saxonburg

Thursday: The dementia caregiver support group at South Butler Community Library will meet from 6 to 7 p.m. at the library, 240 W. Main St. The group meets the second Thursday of each month and provides a safe place for caregivers to share their feelings and discuss their day-to-day challenges. No reservations required. Details: Michelle Govan, RN, 724-504-5512.

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.

Thursday: The diaper pantry at St. Mark Lutheran Church will distribute free diapers from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the church, 600 Pittsburgh St. Advance registration required. First-time recipients must provide their own ID, the child’s birth certificate and a current WIC or SNAP card. Distributions are the second and fourth Thursdays of each month. Registration: 724-274-5313.

Tarentum   

Wednesdays and Saturdays: The Alle-Kiski Valley Heritage Museum, 224 E. Seventh Ave., is open from noon to 3 p.m. and other times by appointment. Details: 724-224-7666.

Wednesday: The Farmers Market will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the parking lot at 10^th Avenue and Lock Street.

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 monthly Tarentum Night Market will be from 5 to 8 p.m. in the downtown section of the borough. Businesses will be open and there will be food, crafters, vendors and music.

Sept. 26 to 28: Summit Hose Company is accepting vendor applications for its fall festival. No food or alcohol vendors will be accepted. Details: Carrie Fox, 724-448-1470.

Ongoing: Tarentum Area Lions Club has a variety of styles of brooms for sale. Types available include soft and hard bristle push brooms, $16; kitchen brooms, $13; heavier duty mill brooms, $15; children’s brooms, $8; and whisk brooms, $8. Details: Jody Shumaker, 724-954-2341; Donna Holsing, 724-899-6277 or send a message to Tarentum Area Lions Club on Facebook. Proceeds benefit local and global Lions charities.

Vandergrift

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.

Washington Township

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

Winfield

Thursday: The Matrona Family Resource Center at Cabot Church, 707 Winfield Road, will be open from 6 to 8 p.m. New and gently used clothing in sizes preemie through 10/12 will be available, as well as strollers, car seats, toys and more. No reservations required. Details: 724-524-1809 or to donate visit tinyurl.com/mw9kd9cp.