The Stroller, Dec. 18, 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.

Free Christmas Day dinner planned in Tarentum

Abundant Joy Fellowship, Tarentum, will host a free dinner from 1 to 3 p.m. Christmas Day at the church, 101 Allegheny St.

Dine-in, takeout and delivery options are available. No reservations are required for dine-in and takeout orders.

Reservations for delivery orders are required by 4 p.m. Thursday. For a reservation, call 724-224-5715, ext. 10, and leave your name, telephone number, address and the number of meals requested.

Religion Digest

Leechburg

Cross Roads Community Presbyterian Church will offer at Blue Christmas worship service at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday for anyone who is experiencing loneliness, grief, separation or illness and has a hard time getting through the holidays. The service will be in the church sanctuary, 371 Main St., and also online on the church Facebook page and crcpc.org. Dress warmly if you will attend in person.

Lower Burrell

A Christmas Eve candlelight service will be at 8 p.m. at Grace Community Presbyterian Church, 2751 Grant St.

Tarentum

Trinity United Methodist Church, 857 10th Ave., will have Christmas Eve services at 2, 7 and 11 p.m. The 7 p.m. service will be a family-oriented service with sensitivity to all ages. A classical music concert with performances on piano, cello and flute will be at 10:15 p.m. Musicians will include David Bridge on piano, David Bennett on cello and Alyssa Pysola on flute. The 11 p.m. service will be a traditional candlelight celebration with the musicians and carol singing.

Washington Township

A Christmas Eve candlelight worship service with communion will begin at 7 p.m. at Union Presbyterian Church, 4855 Fairview Drive. Details: 724-337-3042.

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

Monday and Tuesday: Visit with Santa from 5:30 to 8 p.m. on the second level at Arnold No. 2 Firehall, 1100 Drey St. Bring a camera for photos with Santa and enjoy cookies and hot chocolate.

Brackenridge

Sunday: Sons of the American Legion will serve an all you can eat community breakfast from 9 a.m. to noon in the American Legion, 845 E. First Ave. Cost: $8; younger than 12, $5.

Thursday: 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.

Harrison

Tuesday: Community Library of Allegheny Valley will present a free Who Knew? program, “Unforgettable Local Winter Weather,” at 6 p.m. online only at Zoom.us. Registration required. Registration: visit the calendar section at alleghenyvalleylibrary.org.

Leechburg  

Today: 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.

Today: 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.

Monday: The Leechburg Area Museum and Historical Society, 118 First St., is closed for winter. To arrange a private tour, email lamahs@windstream.net or call 724-845-8914 and leave a message.

Monday: Leechburg Volunteer Fire Company will host bingo at 7 p.m. at the firehall, 268 Canal St. Doors open at 5 p.m. The kitchen will be open.

Lower Burrell

Today: 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.

Today: 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 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

Sunday: Parks Township Sportsman’s Club will host a Music Night for members and guests from 6:30 to 10 p.m. at the club, 1111 Shipman Road. Bring your favorite stringed instrument and sing along. Refreshments available. Details: 724-845-2390.

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.

Springdale

Dec. 28: The Tuesday Night Book Club at Springdale Free Public Library will meet at 6:30 p.m. at the library, 331 School St. The selection will be, “Meet You In Hell,” by Les Standiford. Copies are available at the library. New members welcome. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-274-9729.

Tarentum

Today: 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.

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.

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.

Vandergrift

Dec. 28: Vandergrift Public Library will host a free family paint night, “Canvas & Cocoa” at 6 p.m. at the library. Youth and their adults can choose one of four design options to paint. Toddler freestyle will be available. Hot cocoa and light snacks will be available. Space is limited and reservations are required. Reservations: 724-568-2212.