The Stroller, Dec. 1, 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.

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Evening with Santa and Mrs. Claus planned in Apollo

Apollo Area Historical Society and Apollo Events Committee will sponsor a free evening with Santa and Mrs. Claus from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday at Drake Log Cabin in the borough.

There will be a bonfire, hot drinks, cookies and an opportunity to visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus. No parking is available at the cabin; however, parking will be available in Apollo Plaza.

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Pajamas, slippers and socks requested by HOPE Center

The Alle-Kiski HOPE Center is seeking donations of new men’s and women’s pajamas and slippers and women’s socks.

All sizes are needed. Donations will be accepted from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays at the administration office, 500 E. Eighth Ave., Tarentum. If you are ordering online, request delivery to this address. For details, call 724-224-1100.

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Entries sought for Harrison holiday light contest

Harrison Township is sponsoring a holiday light contest for township residents.

Categories are: Clark Griswold, most over the top; Hallmark Movie, most traditional; and Car Stopper, most original. To enter, email your name, address, telephone number, email and category to your ward’s Santa’s Helper or visit harrisontwp.com by Dec. 16.

Helpers and their email addresses are:

• Ward 1: Jennifer Messaros, jenlesholden@yahoo.com.

• Ward 2: Jamie Nee, jrnee@comcast.net.

• Robin Bergstrom, rkbergstrom@consolidated.net.

• Karen Wantland, kwantland60@gmail.com.

• Kelli Canonge, kellimcanonge@gmail.com.

Lights must be visible from the street and be turned on from 6 to 9 p.m. Dec. 17 for judging. Winners will be notified be phone and posted on the township website and receive a recognition lawn sign and special gift.

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Help needed at Vandergrift Meals On Wheels

Vandergrift Meals On Wheels is in need of regular and substitute volunteers to help with food packing, driving and delivering.

To offer your time and for more information, call 724-567-7893.

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Calendar

Apollo

Today: 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. Prize amounts have been raised and there will be a $1,000 must-go jackpot. Details: 724-478-4831.

Today and Saturday: Apollo Area Historical Society will be open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the WCTU Building, 317 N. Second St. The current exhibit is a vintage toy display.

Thursday: Apollo Area Historical Society will meet at 7 p.m. in the WCTU Building, 317 N. Second St. Call 724-448-2899 to confirm.

Dec. 11: A vendor fair will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the parish center at St. James Parish, 109 Owens View Ave. All vendors needed. Cost: $20 per table; without electricity, $15. Details: Linda, 724-882-8776.

Dec. 31: Apollo Hose Co. No. 2 will host a New Year’s Eve bingo at 8 p.m. at the firehall, 325 N. Fourth St. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. The kitchen will be open with a full menu. There will be four Early Bird games, 17 regular games, four specials and a must-go jackpot that will pay $500. Cost: $25 for 12 on packet and hot dog with kraut, if purchased by Dec. 22, after Dec. 22, $30. Tickets: Shelby, 724-549-1601.

Arnold

Friday: St. Vladimir Church, 1610 Kenneth Ave., is accepting orders for its weekly pierogi sale. Varieties: potato and sauerkraut. Pickup: 12:30 to 4 p.m. Fridays at the church social hall. Face masks required. Cost: $11 per dozen; 6 for $6. Orders: 724-339-9257, 8 to 10 a.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

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.

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

Butler County

Thursday: The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) 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 mental illness. The group meets the at 7 p.m. the first Thursday of the month. Reservations required. Reservations: namibutler.org or 724-431-0069.

East Vandergrift  

Monday: Our Lady, Queen of Peace Parish is sponsoring a St. Nicholas Day raffle. Winning numbers will be the noon and 7 p.m. Monday Pa. Lottery Daily Pick 3 numbers. The noon winner receives $1,000 and a $100 gift certificate to Pounds Turkey Farm. The 7 p.m. winner receives $1,300 and a $100 gift certificate to Pounds Turkey Farm. Cost: $10, for two numbers. Tickets: Deborah, 724-859-3186, the church office or after Sunday Mass in the church vestibule.

Etna

Friday: The Pittsburgh North chapter of the Women’s Business Network will meet at 9 a.m. at Eat N Park Restaurant, Route 8 and Saxonburg Blvd. Those attending can learn how the group supports the success and growth of women in business. Meetings are the first and third Fridays of the month. Reservations required. Reservations and sign on information: Kathy Bell, 412-855-0578.

Freeport 

Today: 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 clothing, winter coats, 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 Co., 300 Fifth St. New members welcome.

Gilpin

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

Harrison

Today: 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 winter clothing in all sizes is needed. Bring donations on Wednesday or leave them on the front porch. Do not place donations in the blue bins behind the church.

Today: 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.

Thursday: Community Library of Allegheny Valley will offer a free live online webinar about Senior Medicare at 11 a.m. Livestream in your home or watch the stream in the meeting room at the library, 1522 Broadview Blvd. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-226-3491 or alleghenyvalleylibrary.org.

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

Dec. 23: Kiski Township Volunteer Fire Company is accepting orders for baked goods from The Pie Shoppe in Laughlintown. Varieties: chocolate meringue, coconut meringue, lemon meringue, apple, Dutch apple, blackberry, wild blueberry, razzleberry, cherry, raisin and pumpkin pies, and pumpkin rolls, all $10; pecan pie and nut logs, $12.50; 6 ½-inch banana and cranberry orange bread, $7.50. Paid order deadline: Dec. 11. Pick-up: Dec. 23. Orders: call or text Morgan, 724-466-2812.

Leechburg  

Today: Leechburg Public Library, 139 Market St., offers a free Senior Stretch chair class at 10:30 a.m. Details: 724-236-0080.

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. Face masks and social distancing required.

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

Dec. 11 and 12: Leechburg Volunteer Fire Company is seeking crafters and vendors for a Christmas craft show set for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the firehall, 268 Canal St. Cost: $30 for an 8-foot table with two chairs for one day; or $50 for both days. Details: Melissa, 724-332-9090 or allermelissa@comcast.net or Shay, 724-596-2858.

Lower Burrell

Dec. 13: Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary will meet at 7 p.m. at the post for the Christmas party. Bring a dessert to share. Dues for 2022 are payable. Bartenders will not be distributing key cards. Please check the notice at the post for key card information or contact president Debbie Stewart, P.O. Box 144, Apollo PA 15613.

Manor

Dec. 11: The Outdoor Discovery Center at Crooked Creek will sponsor a paint party fundraiser at 2 p.m. at the center, 142 Kerr Road. Cost: $35, includes supplies, apron and refreshments. Proceeds benefit the center’s educational programming. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-763-6316 or visit the Scheduled Events tab at artpartypittsburgh.com.

New Kensington

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 Tracy and Robert Thimons Jr. Those picking up meals should observe social distancing while waiting in line.

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.

Friday: A Christmas bingo will be hosted by East Kensington Community Circle at the community circle building, 1785 Seventh St. Dinner will be served at 7 p.m. and bingo will begin at 7:30. Cost: $7, includes meal and one board. Bring a $10 gift for an optional gift exchange.

Dec. 16: The Myrrh Bearing Women of St. George Orthodox Church are accepting orders for a Christmas sweets sale. Pickup: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 16 at the church, 1150 Leishman Ave. Items and prices: sweet bread, $4 per loaf; baklawa, $12 per 10-piece wedge; and sambosic, $2 each. Order deadline: Dec. 10. Orders: 724-337-3918.

Oakmont

Dec. 8: A community blood drive will be from 2 to 7 p.m. at the borough building, 767 Fifth St. Appointments recommended. Bring ID. Donors will receive a neck warmer. Appointments: 412-209-7000 or vitalant.org and click on the Schedule Now or New Donor buttons. Search for group code C5300082.

Plum

Tuesday: Westarm Physical Therapy and Home Health will offer a free seminar, “Treating Dizziness and Vertigo Using Physical Therapy,” at 6 p.m. at the Plum Community Center, 499 Center New Texas Road. Physical therapist Will Jones will be the speaker. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-337-6522.

Dec. 11: Plum Community Center will host a winter bingo to benefit Plum EMS and the community center at noon at the center, 499 Center New Texas Road. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. and early birds start at noon.There will be specials, a $500 jackpot, a lotto raffle tree and food for sale. Admission: $25 in advance; $30 at the door; early birds separate. Tickets: 412-795-2330 or stop in at the center.

Springdale 

Dec. 8: Wacky Wednesdays, a free program for children in kindergarten through sixth grade, will meet at 6 p.m. at Springdale Free Public Library, 331 School St. The theme will be Christmas cartoon drawing. Registration and face masks required. Registration: 724-274-9729.

Tarentum

Today: BridgePoint Church will offer, “Stop, Drop and Read,” from 3 to 4 p.m. in the church children’s library, 400 E. Ninth Ave. Free children’s grab-and-go meals will be distributed.

Today: The Elks will host bingo at 7 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.

Upper Burrell 

Dec. 11: Upper Burrell Senior Citizens Holiday Drive-thru Celebration will be from 1 to 3 p.m. at the township building. Seniors must live in Upper Burrell. Reservations required by Friday. Reservations: 724-335-3517.

Dec. 24: Upper Burrell Volunteer Fire Company and Vigilant Hose Company of Port Vue are sponsoring a $15,000 cash raffle. Winning number will be the Dec. 24 Pa. Lottery Pick 4 number. Cost: $20 for eight numbers. Tickets: send a private message on the company Facebook page.

Vandergrift 

Thursday: Vandergrift Public Library’s free Light up the Library event will be at the library, 128C Washington Ave. Children and their families can attend at 5:30, 6 or 6:30 p.m. to allow for social distancing. Face masks optional. Activities will include card making, ornament building, cookie decorating, refreshments and pictures with Santa. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-568-2212.

Washington Township

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.

West Deer

Friday and Saturday: Bull Creek United Presbyterian Church will host a Christmas bazaar from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the church, 224 Tarentum Culmerville Road. There will be a bake sale and hot sandwiches, drinks and soups will be sold. Dine in or takeout. A model train display will be in the recreation hall across the street from the church.