The Stroller, Dec. 6, 2021: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley

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Donations needed to replace Casino Theater fire escape

Vandergrift Public Library and the Casino Theater are raising funds to replace a dilapidated fire escape that serves the children’s section of the library and balcony patrons of the theater.

The organizations received a $21,500 matching funds grant in July from PACE and must come up with either a dollar to half dollar match, volunteer hours or contribution of materials to match the amount awarded.

Donations are being accepted. Checks can be sent to Vandergrift Public Library, 128C Washington Ave., or CTRM, P.O. Box 202, Vandergrift PA 15690. Please put “fire escape project” in the memo section. A plaque will be installed near the new fire escape with contributors’ names.

Santa to stroll through Arnold

Santa Claus and his elves will walk around the city of Arnold and hand out Cracker Jack snacks with his elves beginning at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday.

His route Wednesday will begin at Arnold No. 1 firehall, proceed on Leishman Avenue and end at the two highrise buildings. The route on Thursday will begin on Fifth Avenue and end on Riverside Drive.

Calendar

Apollo

Wednesdays and Saturdays: 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.

Wednesday: Apollo Hose Co. No. 2 will host bingo at 7 p.m. at the firehall, 325 N. Fourth St. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Prize amounts have been raised and there will be a $1,000 must-go jackpot. Details: 724-478-4831.

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.

Brackenridge

Wednesday: Al-Anon will meet at 8 p.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church, 847 10th Ave. The group offers help and hope for families and friends of alcoholics.

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.

Freeport

Wednesdays: The Thrift Store Clothing Ministry at Freeport United Methodist Church, 211 Fourth St., will be open from noon to 3 p.m. Cash only. Donations of clothing, winter coats, shoes, bedding and purses welcome. Donations must be laundered and free from pet hair. Details: 724-295-3095.

Harrison

Wednesday: The Agape Thrift Shop at Grace United Methodist Church, 1333 Freeport Road, will be open from 1 to 4 p.m. Masks required. Clean fall and winter clothing in all sizes is needed. Bring donations on Wednesday or leave them on the front porch. Do not place donations in the blue bins behind the church.

Wednesday: Allegheny Valley Association of Churches Food Bank will be open to anyone in need from 1:30 to 5 p.m. at 1913 Freeport Road, Natrona Heights. Pull into the center parking lot and food will be placed into your vehicle. Those who are not yet registered should come from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Jefferson

Tuesday: Saxonburg GoldenAgers will have its December luncheon at the Veterans of Foreign Wars on Dinnerbell Road. A catered lunch will be served at noon, followed by entertainment by the Knoch High School choir. Reservations required. Reservations: Lil, 724-352-1809.

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: Saturday. Pick-up: Dec. 23. Orders: call or text Morgan, 724-466-2812.

Leechburg

Today: 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.

Today: 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.

Wednesdays: Leechburg Public Library, 139 Market St., offers a free Senior Stretch chair class at 10:30 a.m. Details: 724-236-0080.

Lower Burrell 

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

Saturday: 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: 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.

Friday: 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.

Friday: 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: Friday. 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.

Pittsburgh

Tuesday: The Allegheny Valley chapter of the Women’s Business Network will meet at 8 a.m. at Panera Bread, Waterworks Mall, 942 Freeport Road. Those attending can learn how the group supports the success and growth of women in business. Reservations required. Reservations: Susan Kinger, 412-782-4848.

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.

Saturday: 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.

Dec. 15: A craft class to make a fabric Christmas tree will be at 1 p.m. at Springdale Free Public Library, 331 School St. Reservations required. For a materials list, visit www.springdalepubliclibrary.org. Reservations: 724-274-9729.

Tarentum

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.

Wednesday: BridgePoint Church will offer, “Stop, Drop and Read,” from 3 to 4 p.m. in the church children’s library, 400 E. Ninth Ave. Free children’s grab-and-go meals will be distributed.

Wednesday: The Elks will host bingo at 7 p.m. at the lodge, 219 E. Sixth Ave. The kitchen is open to the public from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Menu: elks644.org/elks-kitchen-1. Orders: 724-226-1644 by 8:15 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

Tuesday: The YoYos Needles Art group at Vandergrift Public Library will meet from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in the library reading room, 128C. Washington Ave. Please note the new date and time. All skill levels welcome. No reservations required. Details: 724-568-2212.