The Stroller, Dec. 1, 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.

Festival of Trees raffle supports hospital projects

Allegheny Valley Hospital Auxiliary is hosting its annual Festival of Trees raffle to benefit projects supporting the hospital.

Each hospital department decorates a tree to be raffled off and they are on display in the lobby. Tickets are 10 for $5 or 20 for $10 and can be purchased weekdays in the lobby of the hospital, 1301 Carlisle St., Natrona Heights, or by calling 724-226-7370 or sending an email to avhvol@ahn.org. Cash or checks will be accepted. Winners receive a fully decorated tree. The drawing will be Dec. 19.

Train display to benefit food bank

Bull Creek United Presbyterian Church Model Railroad Association, 224 Tarentum-Culmerville Road, West Deer, will host its annual holiday train display from 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sunday, Dec. 9, 10, 16 and 17; 4 to 8 p.m. Dec. 27, 28 and 29; and 2 to 6 p.m. Jan. 5 and 6 at the church.

Admission is $5; $2 for children age 4 to 12, plus a donation of non-perishable food items for the Allegheny Valley Association of Churches Food Bank. For a private group viewing, call Billy at 724-272-3401 or Rick at 724-448-8444.

Holiday decorating contest announced in East Vandergrift

East Vandergrift Community Foundation is sponsoring a holiday home decorating contest.

Registration forms are available at the borough office and should be returned to the office no later than Dec. 8. The judging will be Dec. 17. Amazon cards of $100, $50 and $25 for the first-, second- and third-place entries will be awarded at the Dec. 19 foundation meeting.

Calendar

Apollo

Today: Grace Assembly of God, formerly known as Apollo Assembly of God, will host an open mic session at 7 p.m. at the church, 609 First Ave. Extension. Everyone is welcome to sing and/or listen.

Saturday: Apollo Area Historical Society will host an antique train and vintage Christmas tree display beginning at 11 a.m. at the WCTU Building, 317 N. Second St. The Kiski Valley Community Band Flute Choir will play from 1 to 1:45 p.m. and the OHCA Carolers will sing from 2 to 3 p.m. There will be cookies and an opportunity to visit with Santa starting at 6 p.m.

Dec. 9: Apollo Memorial Library will host a free visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus event at the library, 219 N. Pennsylvania Ave. Sessions will be at 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. There will be a story time, pictures, a craft and refreshments. Reservations required and space is limited. Reservations: 724-478-4214.

Arnold

Saturday: Homemade doughnuts will be sold from 6 to 10 a.m. at Calvary Lutheran Church, 1721 Victoria Ave. Cost: $8 per dozen. This will be the last doughnut sale. The church would like to thank everyone who purchased doughnuts and Chuck Crawford for running the project for 25 years. Orders: 724-335-0101.

Saturday: Arnold United Methodist Church, 1801 Leishman Ave., will host an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast from 8 a.m. to noon at the church. Menu: choice of plain, blueberry, pecan and chocolate chip pancakes or French toast, sausage and drink. Dine in or takeout. Cost: $9; 12 and younger, $7. Details: 724-339-2377.

Bell Township

Saturday: A breakfast with Santa will be from 8:30 to 11 a.m. at Bell Township Volunteer Firehall, 201 Main St., Salina. Cost: $10, includes all-you-can-eat pancakes and sausage.

East Vandergrift 

Saturday: There will be holiday activities for children from 2 to 4 p.m. in the parish hall at Our Lady Queen of Peace Church, 420 McKinley Ave. Light-up Night activities will begin at 5:30 p.m. on the church lawn. A new Christmas tree-like effect of lights will be unveiled and there will be a fire pit, hot chocolate and more. Sponsored by East Vandergrift Community Foundation.

Sunday: Our Lady, Queen of Peace Parish will have bingo at 6:30 p.m. in the church social hall, 411 McKinley Ave. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. There will be a 55-number jackpot game, a 41-number picture frame game and a magic number game. Details: 724-478-4958.

Fawn

Dec. 9: A Breakfast with Santa will be from 10 a.m. to noon at Fawn No. 1 Social Hall, 1948 Firehouse Lane. Cost: $10, 2 and younger, free. There will be a Christmas basket raffle. Tickets: fawnfireevents@gmail.com or Venmo @fawnfire-department with the name and number of tickets requested.

Harrison  

Tuesday : Community Library of Allegheny Valley is accepting orders for a pasta sale through Dec. 5 online and at the library, 1522 Broadview Blvd. Varieties include shapes such as animals, sports and more. Details: tinyurl.com/3saub7e4.

Today: 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.

Saturday: The Veterans of Foreign Wars will feature Miss Freddye and the Homecookin’ Band from 8 to 11 p.m. at the post, 894 Veterans Lane. Cover charge: $5. Public welcome.

Dec. 15: Tickets are on sale at Community Library of Allegheny Valley for a holiday basket raffle to benefit the library, 1522 Broadview Blvd. Cost: $2 each; or three for $5. The drawing will be Dec. 15. Details: 724-226-3491.

Lower Burrell 

Today: The Mobile Veterans Program will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Veterans of Foreign Wars, 1601 Wildlife Lodge Road. There will be a meet-and-greet, games, crafts, lunch and entertainment. Sponsored by the Department of Veterans Affairs, all veterans are welcome.

Saturday: The Veterans of Foreign Wars will feature the Shot O’Soul Band from 8 to 11 p.m. at the post. Members and three guests welcome.

Monroeville

Saturday: A free presentation “Making Meaning During the Holidays” will be at noon in the Yolanda’s Room at Monroeville Public Library, 4000 Gateway Campus Blvd. The program will provide tips and ideas to create worthwhile holiday activities and celebrations. Details: Diana Charlton, dcharlton@charltoncounseling.com.

New Kensington

Saturday: A toy drive to benefit the New Kensington Salvation Army will be from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Pittsburgh Ice Arena, 700 Craigdell Road.

Sunday: Aluminum City Terrace Activities Group will host bingo from 2 to 4:30 p.m. in the activities center, 136 Aluminum City Terrace. Doors open at 1:30 p.m. Cost: $3, includes one board, snacks and drinks; extra boards, $1 each. There will be a Christmas basket raffle and the Steelers game on the television. Public welcome.

Dec. 12: The Myrrh Bearing Women of St. George Orthodox Church are accepting orders for a Christmas sweets sale. Pickup: 11 a.m. to noon Dec. 12 at the church, 1150 Leishman Ave. Prices: baklawa, $14 per 10-piece section; and sambosic, $3 each. Quantities are limited. Order deadline: Tuesday. Orders: 724-337-3918.

Oakmont

Saturday: Oakmont United Methodist Church will host its annual Christmas bazaar from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the church, 419 Maryland Ave. There will be a bake sale, and lunch, holiday crafts and attic treasures will be sold. Details: 412-828-9499.

Sunday: St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 378 Delaware Ave., will have an Advent procession at 4 p.m. with the Ambrose Romano Singers. Free admission. Public welcome.

Parks Township

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

Saturday: A Breakfast with Santa will be from 9 a.m. to noon at the firehall, 1119 Dalmatian Drive. Cost: $5, free for children 13 and younger.

Sunday: Parks Township Sportsman’s Club will have a country music jam night from 5 to 8 p.m. at the club, 1111 Shipman Road. Bring your favorite stringed instrument and sing along. Refreshments available. Public welcome. Details: 724-845-2390.

Plum

Dec. 6: Plum Community Center will host a holiday dinner dance from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the center, 499 Center New Texas Road. Cost: $10, includes holiday meal, cookie table, mocktails and dancing. There will be a guest appearance by Take Three. Ticket deadline: Friday . Tickets: 412-795-2330.

Springdale 

Saturday: The Knotty Knitters group at Springdale Free Public Library will meet at noon at the library, 331 School St. The group will now meet the first and third Saturdays of the month. Bring your unfinished knitting or crocheting project. All skill levels welcome. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-274-9729.

Dec. 8: Springdale Free Public Library and Springdale Borough will host a tropical holiday party for all ages from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the gymnasium of the borough building, 325 School St. There will be crafts, snacks and photos with Santa. Dress in Hawaiian attire or an ugly holiday sweater.

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.

Sunday: The Alle-Kiski Valley Heritage Museum will sponsor a Pearl Harbor roundtable discussion at 2 p.m. at the museum, 224 E. Seventh Ave. Public welcome.

Sunday and Tuesday: Alcoholics Anonymous will meet from 7 to 8 p.m. at Central Presbyterian Church, 305 Allegheny St. An opportunity for silent prayer will be at 6:30 p.m.

Vandergrift  

Dec. 31: Vandergrift Public Library is conducting a 100,000 penny collection challenge through the end of the year. Bring your pennies to the library, 128C Washington Ave., or TinyCause or Champion’s Crusaders Rescue. Funds raised will be split between the three organizations.

Washington Township

Today: 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.

Saturday: A Breakfast with Santa will be from 8 to 11 a.m. at Poke Run Presbyterian Church, 1091 Poke Run Church Road. Cost: $7; age 4 to 10, $4; 3 and younger, free. Photos with Santa will be sold for $2 and there will be a Santa’s Store featuring miniature poinsettias, ornaments, decorations and gifts. Proceeds will benefit church education programs and missions. Details: 724-327-5563.

West Deer

Saturday: East Union Community Church will sponsor a Breakfast with Santa from 9 to 11 a.m. at East Union Community Center, 292 East Union Road. There will be photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, a story corner and children’s activities. Donations will be accepted. Details: 724-265-1381.

Dec. 9: Reservations are being accepted for a Breakfast with Santa planned at 9 a.m. at Pleasant Unity Church, 101 Millerstown-Culmerville Road. There will be a magician and an opportunity to visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Bring a $10 wrapped gift for your child with their name on it. Donations will be accepted. Reservations: Darlene, 724-352-3615.