The Stroller, Feb. 11, 2023: 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.

Nominations wanted for award to honor Concordia employees

Concordia Lutheran Ministries is accepting nominations for this year’s Stephen W. Johnson Mission Award that recognizes its employees for exceptional service.

The award is named for Concordia’s late chairman of the board of directors, Stephen W. Johnson, who served for 19 years before passing away June 11, 2020.

Nominations will be accepted through March 11. Current and former residents and patients, Concordia employees and members of the community can nominate current employees by filling out an application or submitting a video and describing how the nominee shows a dedication to Concordia’s mission. A banquet will be held in June to recognize the nominees and announce the winner.

For an application and information, visit swjmissionaward.org.

Tickets on sale for annual St. Patrick Day dance party fundraiser

The eighth annual dance party fundraiser will be from 5 to 10 p.m. March 18 at West Leechburg Fire Hall, 1116 Gosser St.

The St. Patrick Day-themed event will have music, dancing, a gift basket auction, caricature artist and 50/50 raffle. Doors open at 4:30 p.m.

Tickets are $25; couples, $45, and include beer, pop and water, and lite bites. Those attending must be at least 21 years old. The event is sponsored by Semper Gratus. For tickets, visit kvcares.com. A portion of proceeds will benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

In Our Schools

Leechburg Area School District

Kindergarten registration scheduled

Registration for kindergarten in the Leechburg Area School District for the 2023-24 school year will be April 12 at David Leech Elementary School.

Children who will be 5 on or before Sept. 1, 2023 are eligible. Parents can pick up a registration packet at the school or print one off from Leechburg.k12.pa.us and then register for an appointment. Packets must be returned by March 31.

Screening appointments are one hour long, and your child should accompany you. Pupil assessments will be given during registration. The child’s birth certificate and immunization records should be presented at registration. Immunization for whooping cough is recommended, but not required. The school nurse will be present to review your immunization and medical history records.

Parking will be available in the lot next to the Baker Building on Siberian Avenue. For more information, call the elementary school office at 724-845-6071.

Calendar

Apollo

Today: Apollo Memorial Library and Apollo Events Committee will host a mid-winter movie matinee from 2 to 4 p.m. at the library, 219 N. Pennsylvania Ave. Free admission, hot chocolate, cookies and popcorn.

May 20: Apollo Events Committee is accepting reservations from vendors and food trucks for its annual May Daze celebration set for noon to 6 p.m. in Apollo Plaza. Cost: vendors, $25; food trucks, $50. Flea market spaces are available for $10. Rain date: May 21.

Arnold

Today: Free bagged lunches will be distributed from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The Tomb, 1821 Fifth Ave.

March 4: Non-profit Speed Family Blessing Box and Pantry Inc. is accepting table reservations for a vendor fair planned from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the center, 1702 Fifth Ave. Cost: $20 per table. Donations are welcome for a basket raffle. Details: 412-552-9054 or cspeed31@gmail.com.

Buffalo Township

Today: The Clothed With Love free clothing ministry will be from 9 a.m. to noon at Evangel Heights Church, 120 Beale Road. Infant, kids, juniors and adult sizes will be available. Everyone welcome.

East Vandergrift

Monday: A rummage sale will be from noon to 3 p.m. at Our Lady Queen of Peace Church, 420 McKinley Ave.

Fox Chapel

Tuesday: The Fox Chapel Area Branch of the American Association of University Women will host a free presentation of the one-woman play, “Fanny Kemble at the Slave Plantation,” with Lydia Axelrod at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church, 384 Fox Chapel Road. Public welcome. Details: Lindsay Bond Totten, lbtotten@comcast.net.

Freeport 

Sunday: Freeport Event Center, 325 Fourth St., will host a Second Sunday Social from noon to 5 p.m. for all ages at the center. There will be music, activities, food and beverages. Bring your instrument and join in the music.

Harrison

Today: 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.

Today: The Needle & Thread Club at Community Library of Allegheny Valley will meet from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at the library, 1522 Broadview Blvd. The project will be a no-sew heart pillow. This is a self-guided free program for children who are at least in fourth grade. Reservations required. Reservations: alleghenyvalleylibrary.org.

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.

Thursday: Community Library of Allegheny Valley will offer a free seminar for adults about internet privacy and safety at 6 p.m. at the library, 1522 Broadview Blvd. Online participation at Zoom.us available. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-226-3491 or alleghenyvalleylibrary.org.

Feb. 22: The Kitchen Sink Book Club at Community Library of Allegheny Valley will meet at 6 p.m. at the library, 1522 Broadview Blvd. The selection will be, “Carnegie’s Maid,” by Marie Benedict. Copies are available at the circulation desk. Details: 724-226-3491.

Leechburg

Monday: Leechburg Public Library Board of Directors will meet at 6:30 p.m. at the library, 137 Market St. Public welcome.

Monday: 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.

Wednesday: Leechburg Museum is closed for the winter months. To arrange a private tour, email lamahs@windstream.net or call 724-845-8914 and leave a message.

Feb. 25: A murder-mystery dinner theater event, “Thugs, Mugs and .38 Slugs,” to benefit Leechburg Public Library will be at the Marconi Club, 135 River Ave. Doors open at 6 p.m. and there will be a cash bar. Cost: $30 in advance, $35 at the door and includes dinner. Tickets: 724-226-0080 or stop in at the library, 139 Market St.

Lower Burrell 

Today: 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.

Today: Peoples Library will offer a family craft hour at 1 p.m. at the library, 3052 Wachter Ave. Details: 724-335-1021.

Today: The Veterans of Foreign Wars will feature the Magic Moments band from 8 to 11 p.m. at the post. Members and three guests welcome.

Feb. 19: Burrell Youth Wrestling Season Ticket Holder Club is selling tickets for a cash raffle. Cost: $100, only 300 tickets will be sold. Grand prizes are $10,000, $5,000 and $2,000. Drawing will be at the Supertrophy Youth Wrestling event at Burrell High School. Winner need not be present. Tickets: call or text Sarah Stevenson at 724-257-1146.

New Kensington

Today: A free Valentine’s Day party will be from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the New Kensington Arts Center, 950 Fifth Ave. There will be crafts for children, a basket raffle, caricatures, music and hot cocoa.

Sunday: The Society of Orthodox Youth Organization (SOYO) group of St. George Orthodox Church is accepting orders for a Super Bowl hoagie sale. Varieties: Italian or turkey, both on Syrian bread, $8. Order deadline: Friday. Orders: forms.gle/ZfKtwbVUa9ei2uTt6. Pickup: after liturgy on Sunday.

Sunday: St. Mary of Czestochowa Church, 857 Kenneth Ave., is accepting orders for a soup sale. Varieties: stuffed pepper, mushroom and turkey with wild rice. Cost: $10 per quart. Pickup: 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday in the church Friendship Hall. Orders: Laurie, 724-335-8022.

Oakmont 

Feb. 22: Oakmont Carnegie Library will host a story time for children age 3 to 5 with their caregiver from 10:30 to 11 a.m. at the library, 700 Allegheny River Blvd. The theme will be, “Fun with Yeti.” Each child will receive a themed craft bag to take home. Reservations recommended. Reservations: visit the calendar section at oakmontlibrary.org.

O’Hara

Through Feb. 17: The Fox Chapel Area High School Student Government Outreach Committee is collecting items for the Second Avenue Commons Shelter for the homeless in Pittsburgh. Items needed include new and gently used puzzles, games, books about a positive topic, and new large slippers and Crocs. Donations can be dropped off weekdays from 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the main entrance to the high school atrium, 611 Field Club Road.

Parks

Sunday: Parks Township Sportsman’s Club will have 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.

Springdale 

Monday: The Knotty Knitters group at Springdale Free Public Library will meet at 6 p.m. at the library, 331 School St. Bring your unfinished knitting or crocheting project. All skill levels welcome. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-274-9729.

Wednesday : Springdale Free Public Library will offer a craft workshop to make a rainbow wreath at 1 p.m. at the library, 331 School St. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-274-9729.

Tarentum

Today: 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.

Today: The Elks will host a Valentine’s dance featuring the 56 East Band from 8 to 11 p.m. Cost: $10, includes water, pop, snacks and drafts. Members and guests welcome. Tickets: at the lodge.

Today: 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 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.

Vandergrift

Today: A free black light puppet show featuring the Let It Shine youth ministry of Bethel United Methodist Church, Lower Burrell, will be at 7 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 134 Custer Ave. Refreshments will be served afterward. Details: 724-568-5575.

February: Vandergrift Public Library, 128C Washington Ave., is having a $3 per bag book sale through the end of February at the library. Bags will be provided. Audio books, DVDs and puzzles are excluded from the bag sale and will be sold buy one, get one free.