The Stroller, Feb. 13, 2024: 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.

Garden center accepting applications for college scholarship

Greensburg Garden Center is accepting applications for the 2024 Katherine Mabis McKenna Scholarship.

Applicants must live in Westmoreland County or its bordering counties and have completed one year at an accredited college or university pursuing a two-or four-year degree in botany, horticulture, forestry, landscape architecture or a related field by May 31.

For an application and details, call 724-837-0245 or visit greensburggardencenter.net. Application deadline is May 31.

Monthly Breaking Bread dinner planned at Knead Community Cafe

Knead Community Cafe, 1011 Barnes St., New Kensington, will host its free monthly dine-in Breaking Bread dinner at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at the cafe.

The meal will be sponsored by Randy and Linda Calcagno. No takeout meals will be available. For more information, call 878-847-7997.

Calendar

Apollo

Wednesday: Apollo Hose Co. No. 2 will have bingo at 7 p.m. at the firehall, 325 N. Fourth St. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. There will be specials and wish jars. Details: 724-478-4831.

Arnold

Friday: St. Vladimir Church, 1610 Kenneth Ave., is accepting orders for its pierogi sale. Varieties: cottage cheese, potato or sauerkraut. Pickup: 12:30 to 4 p.m. Friday in the church social hall. Cost: $12 per dozen. 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: The Allegheny Valley Salvation Army and Community Center will distribute free grab-and-go lunches from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the center parking lot, 917 Brackenridge Ave. Enter from the back gym door by the alley. Free grocery items from Walmart and Aldi will be available. Everyone is welcome.

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

Friday : The American Legion will feature the DaPhunk Band from 7 to 11 p.m. in the upper level of the post, 845 First Ave. There will be a 50-50 and raffles to win a $300 cash card and $500 worth of meat. Cost: $15. Public welcome. Tickets: see the bartender at the post.

Buffalo Township

Wednesday: Sarver Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) will meet from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Christ Community Fellowship Church, 160 Singleton Road. The group is a non-denominational faith-based organization where mothers from pregnancy through those with 12^th grade children can find community and connection. The group meets the second and fourth Wednesday of the month. Childcare and brunch are provided. Reservations required. Reservations: visit Sarver MOPS on Facebook.

Freeport

Wednesday: The Thrift Store Clothing Ministry at Freeport United Methodist Church, 211 Fourth St., will be open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. All items are free, but donations will be accepted. Items available include clothing of all sizes, bedding and window items. Donations of clothing, shoes and boots welcome; must be laundered and free from smoke and pet hair. Wheelchair accessible. Details: 724-295-3095.

Gilpin

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

Harmar

March 9: The Pittsburgh Shrine Center, 1877 Shriners Way, will host a night at the races at the center. Doors open at 5 p.m. Dinner will be served at 6 p.m. and races begin at 7 p.m. Cost: $25; horses, $10 additional; table of eight, $160. There will be 10 races, small games of chance, food, soft drinks, beer, coffee, a silent auction and a 50-50. Walk-ins welcome. Tickets: tinyurl.com/mrx473jx.

Harrison

Today: Allegheny Valley Hospital Auxiliary will sponsor a Cookies & Candy by Christy sale from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. or until sold out in the main lobby of Allegheny Valley Hospital, 1301 Carlisle St., Natrona Heights. Items will include homemade and hand-packaged cookies and chocolates. Cash or checks accepted. Proceeds will benefit auxiliary projects for the hospital.

Today: A story time for children age 3 to 5 will be at 10 a.m. at Community Library of Allegheny Valley, 1522 Broadview Blvd. Siblings welcome. No reservations required. This week’s theme will be Valentine’s Day.

Wednesday: The Anime Club at Community Library of Allegheny Valley, 1522 Broadview Blvd., will meet from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the library. Focused for adults, but teens who are at least in ninth grade welcome. Students younger than 18 must provide a permission slip. Permission slips are available at the library. Reservations: 724-226-3491 or AlleghenyValleyLibrary.org.

Wednesday: The Becky’s Closet community clothing store at Faith Lutheran Church, 1500 Broadview Blvd., will be open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the church. Clothing will be available at very low cost. Donations welcome during these hours.

Wednesdays: Community Library of Allegheny Valley will offer a Baby and Me program at 9:30 a.m. for children 15 months and younger and their caregiver at the library, 1522 Broadview Blvd. Bring a blanket to sit on. Details: alleghenyvalleylibrary.org.

Wednesday: The Agape Thrift Shop at Grace United Methodist Church, 1333 Freeport Road, will be open from 1 to 4 p.m. Clean clothing in all sizes is needed. No housewares or bedding please due to lack of space. 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 from 1:30 to 5 p.m. at 1913 Freeport Road, Natrona Heights. Food bank participants can receive food allotments twice per month. Those who are not yet registered should come from 3 to 4 p.m. on Wednesday. The Sparrow’s Nest clothing and home goods ministry will be open from 1 to 4:30 p.m. Details and alternate times: 724-226-0606, ext. 10.

Feb. 17: A free community movie night will be from 6 to 8 p.m. at Harvest Church, 1207 Pacific Ave. The film will be “Super Mario Brothers.” Free snacks and drinks will be served. Reservations required. Reservations: harvestpa.org/events. Details: 724-548-5643.

Jefferson

Today: Concordia at Cabot sponsors a free monthly caregiver support group at 2 p.m. the second Tuesday of each month in the Lund Care Center private dining room, 134 Marwood Road. Use Entrance 4. Anyone who cares for a loved one with a physical problem or diminished reasoning skills at home is welcome. Details: Stefanie Dietrich, 724-352-1571, ext. 8271.

Thursday: Bingo will be at 6:30 p.m. at the American Legion, 754 N. Pike Road. Doors open at 5 p.m. The kitchen will be open. Proceeds benefit post and auxiliary projects.

Kiski Township

Today: The diaper pantry at Spring Church Lutheran Church, 3623 Lutheran Church Road, will distribute diapers from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the church. Distributions will be the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month. Recipients must register in advance. First-time recipients must provide their own ID, the child’s birth certificate and a current WIC or SNAP card. Registration: 724-478-1528.

Leechburg

Thursday: The free genealogy group at Leechburg Area Museum and Historical Society will meet from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the museum, 118 First St. Basic computer skills required. Details: Judy, 724-681-9154.

Saturdays: The Leechburg Area Museum is closed for the season. Appointments during the off-season: 724-845-8914 and leave a message or email lamahs@windstream.net.

Lower Burrell

Today: Redemption Church, 232 Hillcrest Drive, will offer a GriefShare support group for anyone who has lost a loved one from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays through April 16 at the church. Participants can join at any session of the program. Reservations appreciated, but not required. Reservations: GriefShare.org.

New Kensington

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

Wednesday: A veterans service officer will be available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the office of state Rep. Jill Cooper, 356 Freeport St., suite 100. Services available will include disability and pension claims, benefit questions, assisting spouses with survivor benefits issues and applications for veterans grants. Appointments will be accepted, but walk-ins are welcome. Appointments: 724-472-4102.

Thursday: New Kensington Eagles Auxiliary Bingo will be at 7 p.m. at the aerie, 2134 Freeport Road. Doors open at 5 p.m. Sales are from 6 to 6:50 p.m. Cost: $25 for a 12-on package. The kitchen will be open. Public welcome. Details: 724-448-7403.

Oakmont

Today: St. Thomas Church, 378 Delaware Ave., will have a pancake supper from 5 to 7 p.m. at the church. Cost: $7; younger than 12, $3.50; family of two adults and two children, $20.

Today: Taking Pounds Off Sensibly (TOPS) meets at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 1261 Pennsylvania Ave. Private weigh-ins will be from 5:45 to 6:10 p.m. and the meeting will be afterward. The first meeting is free. Details: 412-828-3854 or jmjkwj@gmail.com.

O’Hara

Wednesday: A Vitalant community blood drive will be from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the large group instructional room at Fox Chapel Area High School, 611 Field Club Road. Appointments recommended, but walk-ins are welcome. Appointments: 877-258-4825 or visit the Donate Blood button at Vitalant.org and use group code UHS010025.

Parks Township

Thursday: Parks Township Sportsman Club Association will meet at 7:30 p.m. at the club, 1111 Shipman Road. New members welcome.

Plum

Today: The Plum Food Pantry, 81 Sandune Drive, distributes free food from 5 to 6:30 p.m. the first three Tuesdays of each month. Details: 724-327-0367.

Springdale

Today: Springdale Team of Active Residents (STAR) will meet at 6:30 p.m. at From Italy, 1115 Lincoln Ave. New members welcome.

Thursday: The adult Scrapbooking Club at Springdale Free Public Library will meet at 5:30 p.m. at the library, 331 School St. Details: 724-274-9729.

Feb. 21: A craft workshop to make bracelets will be at 1 p.m. at Springdale Free Public Library, 331 School St. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-274-9729.

Tarentum

Wednesday: The Elks will host bingo at 6:30 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.

Wednesdays and Saturdays: The Alle-Kiski Valley Historical Society, 224 E. Seventh Ave., is open from noon to 3 p.m. and other times by appointment. Details: 724-224-7666.

Vandergrift

Today: The YoYos Needle Arts group at Vandergrift Public Library will meet from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the library reading room, 128C Washington Ave. No reservations required; just stop in. All skill levels welcome; however, this is not an instructional program. Details: 724-568-2212.

Wednesday: The Anime Club for children in fifth through 10^th grade at Vandergrift Public Library will meet from 6 to 7 p.m. at the library, 128C Washington Ave. Details: 724-568-2212.

Wednesday: Vandergrift Public Library will host a toddler time program for children 4 and younger and their caregiver at 11 a.m. at the library, 128C Washington Ave. This week’s theme will be “Bluey.” Reservations required. Reservations: 724-568-2212.

Thursday: St. Gertrude Church will host its monthly spaghetti dinner from 4 to 7 p.m. in the church hall, 303 Franklin Ave. Menu: Dine in spaghetti and meatballs, salad and dessert, $10; meatball hoagies, $7. Add 50 cents for takeout.

Washington Township

Wednesday: Alcoholics Anonymous will meet at 6 p.m. at Union Presbyterian Church, 656 Route 380.

West Deer

Wednesday: East Union Presbyterian Church will have a takeout spaghetti dinner from 4 to 7 p.m. at the church, 292 East Union Road. Menu: spaghetti with choice of meat, marinara, meatball or mushroom sauce, salad, rolls and dessert. Donations will be accepted to benefit church missions and ministries. Details: 724-265-1381.

Winfield

Thursday: The Matrona Family Resource Center at Cabot Church, 707 Winfield Road, will be open from 6 to 8 p.m. New and gently used clothing in sizes preemie through 10/12 are available, as well as strollers, car seats, toys and more. No reservations required. Details: 724-524-1809 or tinyurl.com/mw9kd9cp.