The Stroller, Dec. 16, 2021: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley

Publicize your holiday events, club meetings 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.

Community invited to Springdale Christmas carol social

A community Christmas carol social will be at 6:30 p.m. Saturday at Springdale Open Bible Church, 401 Colfax St.

Sing along and enjoy some treats and hot cocoa. For details, call the church at 724-274-6610.

Free outreach planned Saturday in Natrona

Building Block of Natrona will host its free Veggies for All and Cosmetics Closet outreach for residents in need at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 28 Garfield St., Natrona, Harrison.

Free produce and personal care and hygiene products will be distributed until supplies run out. Do not arrive before 12:45 p.m.

No income verification is needed, and everyone is welcome. Face masks are required. The event is supported by First United Presbyterian Church of Tarentum, Riverside Community Church, individual community donors and the Natrona Knights of Columbus Council.

Trail association to host Christmas open house

Butler Freeport Community Trail will host a Christmas open house from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the former Cooper Station Restaurant caboose, at the Winfield Road Trail junction, near the intersection of Winfield and Helmbold roads.

Visitors should park in the trail parking lot, cross the street, head down the trail and the caboose will be on the right.

New merchandise including T-shirts and hoodies will be sold and donations will be accepted.

Santa to visit East Deer Saturday

Santa will ride through East Deer with the firemen from 9 a.m. to 12:40 p.m. Saturday.

The schedule is: 9 a.m., Juniors, Freeport Road; 9:20 a.m., Upper Marion Street; 9:40 a.m., Lower Marion Street; 10 a.m., Fire Pro and Freeport Road; 10:20 a.m., Murray Hill Estates, Old Murray Hill and Yost Drive; 10:40 a.m., Meadow Street; 11 a.m., Front Street; 11:20 a.m., Parsonage Street; 11:40 a.m., Bailies Run and Days Run intersection; noon, West Ninth and Crystal View Drive; 12:20 p.m., Greco’s; and 12:40 p.m., Bellview Street by the municipal building.

Calendar

Apollo

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, includes a hot dog with kraut, if purchased by Dec. 22, after Dec. 22, $30. Tickets: Shelby, 724-549-1601 or Gina, 724-594-6187.

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 

Dec. 23: A replenishment blood drive for Terry Spale will be from 1 to 6 p.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church, 847 10^th Ave. Appointments recommended. Bring ID. Appointments: 412-209-7000 or Dawn Spale at 724-224-2224 or dspale@alleghenyhealth.com or visit vitalant.org and click on the Schedule Now or New Donor buttons. Search for group code Z0021156.

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.

Gilpin 

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

Harrison

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.

Leechburg  

Today: 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.

Saturday: The annual Christmas craft and bake sale will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Holy Innocents Anglican Church, 366 Third St. Cookies, homemade soups and pierogies will be sold. Dine in or take out. Preordered cookie trays will be available for pick up. Details: 724-882-2665.

Saturday: The Clothing Closet at First Lutheran Church, 358 Main St., will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. All items are 20 cents each. Customers should wear a face mask and bring a bag. Clothing donations welcome.

Lower Burrell

Saturday: A luncheon bingo will be at 1 p.m. at the Moose, 499 Reimer St. Doors open at 11 a.m. Admission includes lunch at 12:30 p.m., 15 games that win $20 each; four specials that win $30 each; and a $100 must-go jackpot. Details: 724-335-4131.

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

Manor 

Tuesday: The Outdoor Discovery Center at Crooked Creek will sponsor a free Winter Solstice hike and craft at 6 p.m. at the center, 142 Kerr Road. The group will make lanterns and there will be children’s activities. Reservations required. Reservations: armstrongcenter.org/odc-events.

New Kensington

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.

Today: Heritage Hospice will host a free Grief Support group for those who have suffered the loss of a loved one from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the center, 2400 Leechburg Road, building 300. The group meets the third Thursday of each month. Details: Amber, 724-334-6600 or amberhusar@heritagehospicepa.com.

Saturday and Monday: The Community Clothes Closet, 1129 Kenneth Ave., is open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and offers clothing for all members of the family, uniforms for students at Mary Queen of Apostles School, shoes, purses, household items, linens and blankets. Visit the new home store. First-time customers receive 15 free items. Donations accepted during open hours only. Take a free chance on a monthly basket raffle.

Jan. 8: A spaghetti dinner to benefit lung cancer patient Chris Ploski and his wife Emily will be at the Eagles, 2134 Freeport Road. Gift basket donations are being accepted for a silent auction. Details: Davis, 412-378-6296 or the Eagles, 724-335-7811.

Parks

Today: Parks Township Sportsman Club Association will meet at 7:30 p.m. at the club, 1111 Shipman Road. New members welcome.

Monday: An American Red Cross Blood community blood drive will be from noon to 5:30 p.m. at St. Paul Highfield Lutheran Church, 1595 Dime Road. Appointments: 800-733-2767 or visit redcrossblood.org.

Tarentum

Saturday: The Clothing Closet at Central Presbyterian Church, 305 Allegheny St., will be open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. A dollar breakfast will be from 8 a.m. to noon. Details: 724-224-9220.

Upper Burrell  

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.

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. This will be the last bingo until next year.