The Stroller, Dec. 2, 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.

Free presentation to mark Pearl Harbor Day

New Kensington Center for Active Adults will present “Duty, Courage, Honor – Southwestern Pennsylvania Goes to War” a series of videos that spotlights World War II veterans at 1 p.m. Thursday at the center, 1039 Third Ave.

The free presentation will have specific recollections of Dec. 7, 1941 and includes residents of the Alle-Kiski Valley.

Volunteers needed to prepare income tax returns

AARP Foundation is seeking volunteers for its Tax-Aide program in Springdale and Westmoreland County.

Positions to be filled include tax return preparers, client facilitators who help organize tax documents and appointment schedulers. No experience is required.

Training will be Dec. 11 to 15 at Westmoreland County Community College in New Kensington and in January at the Youngwood campus of WCCC.

To register and for information, call or text 724-889-3935 or visit aarpfoundation.org/taxaidevolunteer.

Toy donations being accepted in Washington Township

The Washington Bell Lions Club is collecting new, unwrapped toys through Dec. 15 to benefit Toys for Alle-Kiski Kids.

Donations should be placed in the box in the main entrance of the township municipal building, 285 Pine Run Church Road.

Calendar

Apollo

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.

Dec. 9: St. James Parish will offer the Sacrament of Annointing after the 4:30 p.m. Mass. Details: 724-478-4958.

Dec. 12: Apollo Memorial Library is offering amnesty from fines for all overdue books through Dec. 12. Patrons can return overdue books without paying a fine. Details: 724-478-4214.

Dec. 26 to Jan. 6: St. James Parish is selling tickets for a 12-day lottery giveaway. Cost: $10, includes two numbers. The winning numbers will be the first officially drawn 7 p.m. Pa. Lottery Pick-3 number from Dec. 26 to Jan. 6. Prizes will include cash and a variety of gift cards to local restaurants and businesses. Tickets: Linda, 724-882-8776, in the parish office or after weekend Masses in the church vestibule.

Arnold

Today: 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.

Today: 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

Today: 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 

Today: 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 Church will offer the Sacrament of Annointing after the 11 a.m. Mass. Details: 724-478-4958.

Sunday: Our Lady, Queen of Peace Church 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: 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.

Leechburg

Mondays: First Evangelical Lutheran Church is sponsoring a weekly GriefShare support group for anyone who has lost a loved one at 6 p.m. Mondays through Dec. 11 in the church social hall, 358 Main St. Participants can join at any session of the program. Details and registration: 724-845-7518 or visit GriefShare.org.

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: 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.

Dec. 31: Allegheny Valley League of Artists will have a group exhibit through Dec. 31 at Peoples Library, 3052 Wachter Ave. Hours: 1 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays.

Monroeville

Today: 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

Today: 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.

Thursdays: The Corner Launchbox will host the second seminar of a free virtual, four-part series “Lunch & Learn: Business Basics Breakdown” at noon. Speaker Aaron Perriello will discuss accounting and financial records. Reservations required. Reservations: tinyurl.com/mrxafxcf. Details: amp7089@psu.edu.

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

Today: 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: 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.

Springdale  

Today: 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.

Saxonburg

Monday:Bingo will begin at 7 p.m. in the ballroom of Saxonburg Volunteer Fire Company, 210 Horne Ave. Doors open at 6 p.m. The kitchen will be open.

Tarentum

Today: 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.

Thursday: The Deer Lakes High School Chorus, directed by Matt Derby, will perform a free concert at 7 p.m. at the Alle-Kiski Valley Heritage Museum, 224 E. Seventh Ave.

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: 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

Today: 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.