The Stroller, Dec. 31, 2021: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley

Publicize your 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.

Best wishes for a Healthy and Happy New Year to all our readers!

Natrona food pantry offers help

The Natrona Community Pantry is in Natrona Community Park, 12-20 River Road, Harrison.

Anyone in need is welcome to visit. Donations are welcome. Suggested items include canned fruit and vegetables, spices, salt and pepper, tuna, cake mix, powdered milk and tea bags. Take what you need, give what you can.

Students invited to develop engagement strategy for PennDOT

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and Department of Environmental Protection invite high school students in grade nine to 12 to enter the fifth annual PennDOT Innovations Challenge, which encourages students to use their problem solving, creative and strategic thinking abilities to solve real-world transportation challenges.

This year’s contest asks students to develop a comprehensive and cost-effective public engagement strategy, beyond the current public engagement procedures, that uses innovative technologies and tools that PennDOT can use to engage and connect with all age groups during the transportation planning and project development process more effectively.

Regional winners will be selected and invited to compete in Harrisburg for the state championship. The winning team will receive $2,500 from the Transportation Policy and Education Foundation, an educational arm of the Associated Pennsylvania Constructors.

Submission deadline has been extended to Jan. 21. For details, visit penndot.gov/innovation and click on the Innovations Challenge.

Thank you

The HOPE Center would like to thank everyone who supported the center throughout the year with gifts of donations and time. A special shout out to those who participated in the Adopt A Family Program. “It is so amazing for families who have struggled to move toward safety to not have to worry about gifts!”

Calendar

Apollo

Jan. 8: 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.

Buffalo Township

Monday: Zion United Methodist Church will host a community blood drive from 1 to 7 p.m. in the church Family Life Center, 438 Bear Creek Road. Appointments recommended. Bring ID. Appointments: 412-209-7000 or visit vitalant.org and click on the Schedule Now or New Donor buttons. Search for group code C664.

Harrison

Tuesday: Harvest Church will offer a GriefShare class for those experiencing grief Tuesdays beginning Jan. 4 at the Allegheny North Campus, 1333 Freeport Road, Natrona Heights. Book fee: $20. Details and registration: 724-548-5643.

Jan. 6: Community Library of Allegheny Valley will offer an internet literacy class at 6 p.m. in-person at the library, 1522 Broadview Blvd., Natrona Heights. Online access via Zoom.us also available. Learn how to stay safe while browsing the web, avoid scams and how anti-virus programs protect your devices. Reservations required. Reservations: visit the calendar tab at alleghenyvalleylibrary.org.

Jan. 8: Community Library of Allegheny Valley will host local author Jennifer Naviglia at 11 a.m. as she reads aloud and takes questions about her first book, “K-9 Merlyn: Police Dog Extraordinaire” in the library, 1522 Broadview Blvd., Natrona Heights. Children in grades 3 to 6 welcome. Face masks and registration required. Registration: alleghenyvalleylibrary.org.

Jan. 19: A trivia competition will be at 6 p.m. at Community Library of Allegheny Valley, 1522 Broadview Blvd. Form a team of up to four members of family and friends. The winning team will receive a gift card to Dairy Queen. Reservations required. Reservations: alleghenyvalleylibrary.org.

Kiski Township

Sunday: An all you can eat breakfast will be from 8 to 11:30 a.m. at Kiski Township Volunteer Firehall, 1037 Route 56. Menu: scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon, waffles, pancakes, French toast, home fries, hash browns, biscuits and gravy, toast and beverages. Cost: $11; age 4 to 12, $6.50; age 2 to 3, $2; younger than 2, free.

Jan. 27: 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, peach and raisin pies, and pumpkin rolls, all $10; cinnamon rolls with white or cream cheese icing, $7.50 for 6; snails, $7.50 per dozen; pie variety pack of 4 4-inch pies, apple, blackberry, cherry and razzleberry, $9.50; and pepperoni rolls, $5. Paid order deadline: Jan. 15. Pick-up: Jan. 27. Orders: Morgan King, call or text 724-466-2812.

New Kensington

Saturday: Community Clothes Closet will be closed for the holidays. The Closet will reopen Monday.

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.

Springdale

Friday through Monday: Springdale Free Public Library will be closed for the New Year’s holiday. The library will reopen Jan. 3 for normal hours. Details: 724-274-9729.

Wednesday : Springdale Free Public Library will have an evening storytime and crafts from 6 to 7 p.m. for children of all ages at the library, 331 School St. Face masks and reservations required. Reservations: 724-274-9729.

Summit Township

Jan. 23: Table reservations are being accepted for an antique and classic bicycle swap meet set for 8 a.m. to noon at Shindigs LLC Event Center, 705 Herman Road. Vendor set-up will begin at 6 a.m. Cost: $30. Details and reservations: Jeff Rapp,724-287-8048 or Howard Gordon, 724-205-8172.

Vandergrift

Friday and Saturday: Vandergrift Public Library will be closed for the New Year’s holiday. Details: 724-568-2212.