The Stroller, Dec. 3, 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.

Westmoreland County Marines to supply Christmas groceries

Westmoreland County Marines will provide Christmas groceries to local veterans’ families in need.

To register, call Jim Walters at 724-681-6293 or email waltersusmc@comcast.net. Funds for the project come from local residents and businesses. To make a financial donation, mail a check payable to Westmoreland County Marines, in care of Jim Walters, 176 Hilltop Drive, Lower Burrell PA 15068.

West Deer train display to benefit food bank

The Model Train Association at Bull Creek United Presbyterian Church, 224 Tarentum-Culmerville Road, is hosting its annual holiday model train display from 6 to 8 p.m. Fridays, 2 to 8 p.m. Saturdays, and 2 to 6 p.m. Sundays in December at the church in West Deer. Special hours will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Dec. 27 through 30 and Jan. 7 to 9. For a private group viewing, call Billy at 724-272-3401 or Rick at 724-448-8444.

Admission is $4; and $1 for children. Non-perishable food will be collected to benefit the Allegheny Valley Association of Churches Food Bank.

Tarentum homes and businesses welcome to enter decorating contest

Tarentum Recreation Board is sponsoring a holiday light decorating contest for homes and businesses.

Categories include car stopper, most traditional and most colorful. Email a photograph of your decorated home or business with your address and contact information to tarentummagazine@gmail.com by Dec. 16. Winners will be notified by phone and will be posted on the recreation board Facebook page. A lawn sign and prize will be awarded. For details, call Carrie at 724-448-1470.

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.

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

Saturday: The Tomb Coffeehouse, 1821 Fifth Ave., will feature the group Remnant and Christmas music at 8 p.m. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Details: 724-339-8888.

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

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.

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.

Freeport  

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.

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.

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: 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.

Sunday: Aluminum City Terrace Activities Group will host a bingo at 2 p.m. in the activities center, 136 Aluminum City Terrace. Doors open at 1:30 p.m. Admission: $2, includes beverages; plus 25 cents per card per game. Please bring quarters. Public welcome.

Dec. 10: Valley Points YMCA will host a Christmas Girls’ Night Out from 5:30 to 8 p.m. for girls in first through sixth grades at the YMCA, 800 Constitution Blvd. Cost: $15 each; $5 each additional sibling; includes pizza, crafts, games and swimming. Space is limited to 20 girls. Reservations required by noon Dec. 10. Reservations: stop in at the YMCA.

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.

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.

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.

Sunday: Central Presbyterian Church, 305 Allegheny St., will present a concert, “Wintergrace,” at 2 p.m. featuring traditional folk music and seasonal songs and carols from the southern Appalachians and British Isles. Donations will be accepted. Covid-19 protocols will be observed. Details: 724-224-9220 or visit Central Presbyterian Church Tarentum on Facebook.

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. 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 today. 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

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.

West Deer

Today and Saturday: Bull Creek United Presbyterian Church will host a Christmas bazaar from 6 to 8 p.m. today 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.