The Stroller, Dec. 9, 2022: 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.

Train display to benefit food bank

Bull Creek United Presbyterian Church, 224 Tarentum-Culmerville Road, is hosting its 10th annual holiday train display from 2 to 6 p.m. Dec. 10, 11, 17 and 18 and Jan. 7 and 8, and 4 to 8 p.m. Dec. 28, 29 and 30 at the church.

Admission is $4; $1 for children. Non-perishable food items will be collected to benefit the Allegheny Valley Association of Churches Food Bank. For a private group viewing, call Billy at 724-272-3401 or Rick at 724-448-8444.

Christmas concert planned Sunday in Leechburg

The Kiski Valley Community Band will present a concert of Christmas and holiday music at 4 p.m. Sunday at the Marconi, Club, 135 River Ave., Leechburg.

Selections will include “Sleigh Ride,” and “A Christmas Festival,” and many other holiday favorites. Donations will be accepted for the Leechburg Food Bank.

Calendar

Apollo

Dec. 21: St. James Parish is selling tickets for a scratch-off lottery ticket raffle. The winning number will be the 7 p.m. Dec. 21 Pa. Daily Pick 3 number and the winner will receive one complete roll of $5, $10 and $20 Pennsylvania scratch-off lottery tickets. Cost: $10, contains two numbers. Tickets: 724-882-8776, at the parish office or after weekend Masses in the church vestibule.

Dec. 31: Tickets are on sale for a New Year’s Eve bingo set for 8 p.m. at Apollo Hose Company No. 2, 325 N. Fourth St. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Cost: $25 before Dec. 22; $30 at the door, includes hot dog and sauerkraut. Full kitchen will be available. There will be 17 regular games, four early birds, four specials, pull tabs and door prizes. Tickets: Shelby, 724-549-1601 or Gina, 724-594-6187.

Avonmore

Saturday: A super bingo will begin at 1 p.m. at the Avonmore Senior Citizen Center, 458 Railroad Ave. Cost: $25 by Friday; $30 at the door. There will be a $100 early bird jackpot and a $200 final jackpot. Includes dinner of spaghetti, meatballs, tossed salad and garlic bread and a door prize ticket. Public welcome. Tickets and details: 724-697-4014.

Brackenridge

Dec. 15: Allegheny Health and Physical Medicine and Trinity United Methodist Church will have a Vitalant blood drive and Christmas cookie party from 1 to 6 p.m. at the medical office, 825 Freeport Road. Details: 724-224-2224 or dspale@alleghenyhealth.com.

Buffalo Township

Saturday: The clothes closet at Evangel Heights Church, 120 Beale Road, will distribute free clothing in sizes infant through adult from 9 a.m. to noon.

Saturday: Alle-Kiski Pickleball Inc. will sponsor a Pickleball is Coming to Freeport Park holiday fundraiser from 6 to 9 p.m. at Smokin’ Toad’s, 110 S. Pike Road. Cost: $25, includes buffet dinner. There will be music, gift card giveaways and a 50/50. BYOB. Proceeds will be used to bring dedicated public pickleball courts to the Alle-Kiski Valley. Tickets: stop in at Smokin’ Toad’s. Details: allekiskipickleball@gmail.com.

Dec. 17: Amethyst Cheerleaders is selling tickets for a Santa is Coming to Town event planned for 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the White Star Club, 401 Shuster Drive. There will be music, a bake sale, hot cocoa bar, raffles and a selfie station. Cost: $10 per child, includes digital photo with Santa, a cup of cocoa, reindeer food and a Santa letter writing station. Reservations: Santacomestosarver.com.

East Franklin

Saturday: The Armstrong High School Educational Activities for Special Education (EASE) will sponsor a holiday craft and vendor show from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the high school, 300 Buffington Drive. There will be over 100 vendors and crafters and food. A silent auction will benefit Orphans of the Storm animal shelter, Rayburn.

Fawn

Saturday: Center United Methodist Church, 1575 Donnellville Road, will host a bluegrass and country Christmas concert, “Christmas with Echo Valley,” at 6 p.m. at the church. Donations will be accepted.

Harrison  

Today: Natrona Heights Veterans of Foreign Wars will have bingo at 7 p.m. at the post, 894 Veterans Lane. Doors open at 6 p.m., and there will be specials, a 50/50 raffle and final game jackpot.

Saturday: The Diaper Pantry at Christ Our Hope Anglican Church, Harrison, will distribute diapers from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the church, 926 Painter Ave., and at Sheldon Park, both in Natrona Heights. Recipients must drive up and remain in their vehicles. First-time recipients must provide their own identification, the child’s birth certificate and a current WIC or SNAP card.

Sunday: The Knights of Columbus will host a pancake and sausage breakfast from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the council home, 28 Garfield St., Natrona. Cost: $6; younger than 6, $3.

Dec. 16: Allegheny Valley Hospital Auxiliary will sell tickets for a lottery ticket raffle from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday and Dec. 15 and 16 in the Carlisle Corner of the hospital cafeteria, 1301 Carlisle St. Cost: $1 each, cash only. Two winners will each receive a sealed package of 100 $1 Pennsylvania Lottery scratch-off tickets. The drawing will be at 1:30 p.m. Dec. 16. Proceeds benefit auxiliary projects for the hospital.

Kiski Township

Saturday: Kiski Township Police and Fire Department along with the Apollo Elks and Spring Church Fox’s Pizza are collecting donations of unwrapped toys, clothing and gift cards for local children. Donations of wrapping paper, tape, bows, bags and name tags are welcome. Deadline to donate is Saturday. Details: Dianne, 412-601-1782.

Saturday: New Beginnings United Methodist Church, 1559 Route 56, will have a live Nativity from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at the church. Rain date: Sunday.

Leechburg

Today: Leechburg Area Museum is closed for the season. To schedule a private off-season tour or visit, email lamahs@windstream.net.

Saturday and Sunday: A Christmas craft and vendor show will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the firehall, 268 Canal St. Details: Melissa, 724-332-9090 or allermelissa@comcast.net.

Lower Burrell

Today: The American Legion will have karaoke with DJ Brian at 8 p.m. at the post, 206 Wildlife Lodge Road. Members and two guests welcome.

Saturday: The Veterans of Foreign Wars will feature Marshal and the Deputies from 8 to 11 p.m. at the post. Members and three guests welcome.

Saturday: Peoples Library will host a family arts and crafts hour for all members of the family at 1 p.m. at the library, 3052 Wachter Ave. Details: 724-339-1021.

Saturday: The ClothesLine Ministry at Bethesda Lutheran Church, 3084 Leechburg Road, will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Clothing, shoes and purses will be 25 cents each or five for $1. The jewelry room will be open.

Thursday: The Adult Book Club at Peoples Library will meet at 6:30 p.m. at the library, 3052 Wachter St. The selection will be, “The Girls of Atomic City,” by Denise Kiernan. Next month’s book will be provided at this meeting. Details: 724-339-1021, ext. 12.

Mondays through Thursdays: Lower Burrell Police K-9 T-shirts are available from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the police department. Cost: $25, cash only. Proceeds benefit the K-9 team.

New Kensington

Saturday and Tuesday: The Community Clothes Closet, 1129 Kenneth Ave., will be open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday and noon to 2 p.m. Tuesday. Items available include clothing for all members of the family, shoes and linens. First-time customers receive 15 free items. Winter clothing donations accepted during business hours.

Dec. 14: The Myrrh Bearing Women of St. George Orthodox Church are accepting orders for a Christmas sweets sale. Pickup: noon to 2 p.m. Dec. 14 at the church, 1150 Leishman Ave. Prices: baklawa, $14 per 10-piece wedge; and sambosic, $2.50 each. Quantities are limited. Order deadline is today. Orders: 724-337-3918.

Oakmont

Saturday: A children’s holiday party will be at 1 p.m. at Oakmont Carnegie Library, Allegheny River Blvd. There will be crafts, free books and pizza. No reservations required.

Parks

Sunday: Parks Township Sportsman’s Club will host 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.

Saxonburg 

Wednesday : An American Red Cross Blood community blood drive will be from noon to 5:30 p.m. at Saxonburg Veterans of Foreign Wars, 572 W. Main St. Appointments: 800-733-2767 or visit redcrossblood.org.

Saturday and Sunday: Saxonburg Memorial will present a free Christmas cantata with orchestra, band and choir at 7 p.m. Saturday and 4 p.m. Sunday at the church, 100 W. Main St.

Tarentum  

Weekdays: Free food and hygiene items are available at Highlands Family Center, 415 E. Fourth Ave., suite 12. Hours: noon to 8 p.m. Mondays, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays. Details: 724-224-9006.

Today: Tarentum Book Club will meet for lunch at the Meredith Inn, Kittanning, to celebrate the holidays.

Saturday: Central Presbyterian Church, 305 Allegheny St., will have a Christmas cookie sale and Clothing Closet from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Cookies can be purchased a la carte or on premade trays. Details: 724-224-9220.

Saturday: Tarentum Masons will sponsor a pancake breakfast from 8 to 11 a.m. at the lodge, 307 Lock St., second floor. Dine in or takeout. Cost: $10; children, $5. Public welcome.

Saturday and Sunday: The Church at Tarentum will distribute free food and coats from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday at the church, 528 E. Eighth Ave. A Christmas worship service will be at 6 p.m. Sunday.

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. 24: Upper Burrell Volunteer Fire Department and Vigilant Hose Company of Portvue are selling tickets for a $15,000 Christmas Cash Giveaway. Cost: $20 per ticket, includes eight numbers. The winning number will be taken from the 7 p.m. Dec. 24 Pennsylvania Pick 4 number. Details and tickets: ubvfc11training@gmail.com.

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

Saturday: Deer Lakes Band Boosters will have its ninth annual craft and vendor show from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the high school. There will be a basket raffle, a visit from Santa, and performances by the high school choir and band and middle school band. Admission: $1, includes one basket raffle ticket; 4 and younger, free. Proceeds will benefit the school band program.

Today and Saturday: Bull Creek Women’s Association Christmas bazaar will be from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at Bull Creek United Presbyterian Church, 224 Tarentum Culmerville Road. There will be food and a bake sale. Dine in or takeout.

Sunday: A free breakfast with Santa will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at West Deer Volunteer Fire Department No. 1, 1520 Saxonburg Blvd. Doors open at 10 a.m. There will be a children’s toy raffle, crafts and visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Sponsored by the township parks and recreation department.