The Stroller, Dec. 7, 2021: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley

Publicize your holiday 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.

Christmas concert fundraiser planned in Freeport

A Christmas concert to benefit Fostering Music will be at 7 p.m. Dec. 11 at Freeport Event Center, 325 Fourth St.

Performers will include Chip and Maleena Dominick, Miss Freddye, Jenifer Lynn Baker, J. Roger Davis, Utah Burgess, Curtis Fanciscus, Amanda Noah, Jessi Boldi-Norris, Cook McCoy, George C. Fischer and Katelyn Hemphill. The house band will be Halfway Down.

Cost is $15, in advance; $20 at the door based on availability; younger than 12, free. For tickets, visit freeporteventcenter.com.

Fostering Music provides music lessons and instruments for children currently in or adopted out of the foster care system.

Salvation Army free lunch distribution offered Thursday

The Allegheny Valley Salvation Army and Community Center in Brackenridge offers free grab and go lunches from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursdays in parking lot at the center, 917 Brackenridge Ave.

Everyone is welcome.

Highlands HS students to present winter concert

Highlands High School Choirs will present their winter concert, “My Grown-Up Christmas List” at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the high school auditorium, Natrona Heights.

Performances will be by the Concert Choir, Honors Choir and Variations Show Choir. A gallery of student artwork will open at 6:30 p.m. in the lobby. Face masks are required and admission is $2.

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. 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.

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

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.

Gilpin

Thursday: Gilpin Volunteer Fire Department will host bingo at 7:15 p.m. at the firehall, 113 Firehall Road.

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.

Dec. 15: Community Library of Allegheny Valley will offer a seminar, “The Basics of Email,” at 1 p.m. at the library, 1522 Broadview Blvd. Reservations required. Seating is limited. Reservations: 724-226-3491 or the calendar section at alleghenyvalleylibrary.org.

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

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

Thursday: 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.

Dec. 16: A free Polar Express movie night will be from 6 to 8 p.m. at Leechburg Public Library, 139 Market St. Children are welcome to wear their pajamas and enjoy the movie and hot chocolate. Reservations required by Saturday. Reservations: stop in at the library.

Lower Burrell 

Monday: 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

Thursday: 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 the Second Tuesday Book Club. Those picking up meals should observe social distancing while waiting in line.

Thursday: 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: 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.

Plum

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

Today: 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.

Thursday: Tarentum Recreation Board will host a Scratch-off Bingo event for senior citizens at 1 p.m. at the borough marina under the Tarentum Bridge on First Avenue. Players should drive into the marina parking lot to receive bingo and raffle tickets and remain in their vehicles. Rain date is Dec. 16. Details: Carrie Fox, 724-448-1470.

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

Today: 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.