The Stroller, Dec. 2, 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.

Therapy dogs welcome to join program at Allegheny Valley Hospital

Allegheny Valley Hospital, Harrison, is expanding its pet therapy program and invites all qualified therapy dog and handler teams to join the program.

Therapy dogs visit patients in their rooms, in common areas on the mental health units and in rehabilitation facilities and interact with staff in various departments.

Therapy dogs can be any breed and must be certified by a recognized organization, such as Therapets or Therapy Dogs International. To apply, therapy dog owners and handlers who are at least 18 years old can visit allegheny.vsyslive.com/pages/app/PETTHERAPY. For details, call Kimberly Giovanelli at 724-226-7370 or avhvol@ahn.org.

Winter clothing drive continues in New Kensington

The New Kensington Lions Club and Urban Image are sponsoring a cold weather clothing drive through Friday to benefit members of the local community.

Items needed include new and gently-used coats, hats, gloves and scarfs and other winter clothing items. Clothing donations and checks made out the New Kensington Lions Club can be taken to Urban Image, 955 Fourth Ave., New Kensington. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and Friday.

Holiday rock concert set Saturday at Casino Theater

The annual Jingle Bell Rock concert will be at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Casino Theater, Vandergrift.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Bands to be featured include Sourmash, Steel Mill Rising, Heidi and the Hellcats and Murphy’s 56 East Band. Admission is $10 in advance and will be $15 at the door. For tickets, visit casinotheater.org or Pomfret’s Paints and Variety, 149 Farragut Ave., Vandergrift.

Calendar

Apollo

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.

Today: 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.

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: $7.50; 12 and younger, $5. Details: 724-339-2377.

Saturday: Bethlehem Temple Faith Church Inc. will sell takeout orders of whole chicken wings from 1 to 4 p.m. at the church, 1374 Fourth Ave. Flavors: regular, barbeque, garlic/parmesan and buffalo, $24 per dozen; potato salad, $3. Advance orders required. Sponsored by the church board of trustees. Orders: 724-335-5445.

Saturday: Homemade doughnuts will be sold from 6 to 10 a.m. at Calvary Lutheran Church, 1721 Victoria Ave. Cost: $6 per dozen. Buy extra for next month and freeze them. There will be no sale in January. Orders: 724-335-0101.

Brackenridge

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

Butler County

Today: 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

Saturday and Sunday: A rummage sale will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday and noon to 1 p.m. Sunday in the basement of Our Lady, Queen of Peace Church, 420 McKinley Ave.

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: Freeport Renaissance Association will meet at 7 p.m. at 1833 Coffee and Tea Co., 300 Fifth St. New members welcome.

Saturday: A free Breakfast with Santa will be from 8:30 to 11 a.m. in the fellowship hall of St. Mary Church, 608 High St. No reservations required.

Saturday: A flea market will be from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Freeport Area Library, 428 Market St. Details: 724-295-3616.

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.

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.

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.

Today: 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.

Lower Burrell

Saturday: The Veterans of Foreign Wars will feature DJ Lisa with karaoke from 8 to 11 p.m. at the post. Members and three guests welcome.

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

Today: 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.

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. 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.

Saturday: Burrell-New Kensington Rotary Club will sponsor a free Breakfast with Santa from 8 to 10 a.m. at New Ken Social, the former Salvation Army Church, 1101 Fifth Ave. A pancake breakfast will be served and there will be gifts for children, a photo backdrop station and an appearance by Santa.

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.

Dec. 10: St. George Orthodox Church, 1150 Leishman Ave., will sell Middle Eastern vegan lunches. Menu: falafel salad plate of five falafel balls, lettuce tomato, onions and a side of tahini topped with half of a large pita bread, pickle and a side of rice and beans, $10. Orders required by noon Wednesday. Pickup: 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Dec. 10 at the church office. Orders: 724-337-9845, leave a message.

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

Wednesday: 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 

Wednesday: 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

Saturday: Bethel AME Church, 250 W. Seventh Ave., will host a spaghetti and meatball dinner from noon to 4 p.m. at the church. Menu: spaghetti and meatball, $1; ham and bean, stuffed pepper and haluski soups, $4; cheddar garlic, cranberry and banana breads, $5. Details: 724-224-2417.

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.

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.

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.

Saturday: A drive-thru pancake breakfast with Santa and Mrs. Claus will be from 9 to 11 a.m. at the East Union Presbyterian Church, 292 E. Union Road. Children will receive a craft and treat bag and can wave to Santa and bring their list to be placed in his mailbox. Donations will be accepted to benefit church ministries and maintenance.