The Stroller, Feb. 15, 2022: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley

The Stroller is compiling a list of fish fries taking place Ash Wednesday and/or Fridays during Lent. To your non-profit’s fish fry listed in the paper and online, send complete information in writing to Carol Pinto-Smith, Valley News Dispatch, 210 Wood St., Tarentum, PA 15084 or email cpinto-smith@triblive.com.

Highlands to present Follies talent show

Highlands High School invites the community to the February Follies Talent Show at 7 p.m. Thursday in the high school auditorium, 1500 Pacific Ave., Natrona Heights.

Student soloists will perform vocal and instrumental selections. Tickets are $2 and are available at the door. Proceeds will benefit the spring musical production of, “High School Musical 2: On Stage.”

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.

Grocery items from Walmart and Aldi will be available. Everyone is welcome.

Calendar

Allegheny Valley

Wednesday: The All Virtual chapter of the Women’s Business Network will meet at 7 p.m. online at Zoom.us. Those attending can learn how the group supports the success and growth of women in business. Reservations required. Reservations and sign on information: Ariel Mookherji, 610-547-0004.

Apollo

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. Details: 724-478-4831.

Arnold

Friday: St. Vladimir Church, 1610 Kenneth Ave., is accepting orders for its weekly pierogi sale. Varieties: potato or 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.

Freeport

Wednesday: 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 

Today: The Who Knew? program at Community Library of Allegheny Valley will present, “Glass Roots,” at 6 p.m. at the library, 1522 Broadview Blvd. and online via Zoom.us. Learn interesting facts about the history of the glass industry in the A-K Valley and Natrona Bottling. Reservations required. Masks required for in-person attendance. Reservations: call 724-226-3491 or visit the tab at alleghenyvalleylibrary.org.

Today: Community Library of Allegheny Valley will host a bedtime story hour for children age 3 to 5 at 9:30 a.m. at the library, 1522 Broadview Blvd. Children are welcome to wear their pajamas and bring a blanket and stuffed friend. No reservations required. Details: 724-226-3491.

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 spring and summer 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.

Saturday: Community Library of Allegheny Valley, 1522 Broadview Blvd., will offer a free program, “Cooking On a Budget,” at 1 p.m. in the library and online. Reservations required. Reservations: Alleghenyvalleylibrary.org.

Feb. 23: 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, “Delicious! A Novel,” by Ruth Reichl. Online participation available. Details: AlleghenyValleyLibrary.org.

Leechburg

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

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 and face masks required. Ancestry.com and Newspaper.com are available. Details: Judy, 724-681-9154.

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.

March 8: A Vitalant community blood drive will be from 2 to 7 p.m. in the fellowship hall of First United Methodist Church, 251 Main St. Appointments recommended. Appointments: 412-209-7000 or visit the Donate Blood button at Vitalant.org and use group code G0110175.

March 17: Leechburg Public Library is conducting a raffle to win one roll of $20 and one roll of $10 Pa. scratch off lottery tickets. Cost: $5, includes two numbers. The winning number will be the 7 p.m. March 17 Pa. Pick 3 drawing. Tickets: stop in at the library, 139 Market St.

May 7: Leechburg Volunteer Fire Company is accepting vendor applications for an outdoor craft show. Cost: $25 for a 12 x 12-foot space. No electricity available. Bring your own table, chairs and tent. Details: Melissa, 724-332-9090.

Lower Burrell

Feb. 22: Bethel Nursery School, 159 Alder St., will begin to accept enrollment applications for new pupils. There will be no open house. Registration forms will be emailed. Details: 724-339-2764 and leave a message with your email address.

New Kensington

Thursday: Heritage Hospice will host a free Grief Support group for those who have suffered the loss of a loved one from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the center, 2400 Leechburg Road, building 300. The group meets the third Thursday of each month. Details: Amber, 724-334-6600 or amberhusar@heritagehospicepa.com

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 were donated by the New Kensington-Arnold Teachers Association. 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.

Feb. 26: St. John the Baptist Orthodox Church, 150 Elmtree Road, is taking orders for a frozen pierogi and stuffed cabbage roll sale. Pick-up will be from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 26 in the church social hall. Pierogi varieties: cottage cheese with or without sugar, sauerkraut and potato with cheese. Advance orders required. Cost: pierogi, $10 per dozen; stuffed cabbage, 2 for $6, 4 for $12 or six for $18. Order deadline: Friday. Orders: Valerie, 724-226-0942 or saintjohnnewken@gmail.com.

North Apollo

March 12: A Luck O’ the Irish bingo will be from 7 to 10 p.m. at North Apollo Volunteer Fire Department, 311 16^th St. Doors open at 5 p.m. Cost: $30, includes games, supplies, food and drinks. There will be a $1,000 cover-all game, instant tickets and a DJ. Reserved seats available for groups of eight or more. Must be 21 to attend. Tickets: 724-596-7293.

O’Hara

Feb. 24: A Vitalant community blood drive will be from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 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: 412-209-7000 or visit the Donate Blood button at Vitalant.org and use group code HS010025.

Parks

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

Springdale   

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

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

Feb. 22: The Tuesday Night Book Club at Springdale Free Public Library will meet at 6:30 p.m. The selection will be, “Hidden Figures,” by Margot Lee Shetterly. Reservations and masks required. Reservations: 724-274-9729.

Tarentum

Today: The CPUser Group computer and technology club will meet at 7:30 p.m. online at Zoom.us. The program will be, “My Favorite Android Apps.” Guests welcome. Guest registration: cpusergroup@hotmail.com.

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.

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. All skill levels welcome. No reservations required. Details: 724-568-2212.

Wednesday: Vandergrift Public Library will host meet-up event for children of all ages who are home schooled at 12:30 p.m. at the library, 128C Washington Ave. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-568-2212.

Friday: Vandergrift Public Library and Kiski Area Youth Network will host a free Teen Afterhours event from 6 to 9 p.m. for students in sixth through 12^th grade at the library, 128C Washington Ave. Teens can enjoy food, games and friends with adult supervision. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-568-2212.

Feb. 22: Vandergrift Public Library will host a Board Game Night for students who are in at least fourth grade from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the library. 128C Washington Ave. Play one of the library’s games or bring your own. Snacks will be served. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-568-2212.

Through Feb. 28: Vandergrift Public Library will have a book sale during operating hours. Fill a grocery store bag provided by the library for $3. DVDs, audio books, CDs and puzzles must be purchased separately. Hours: 1 to 8 p.m., Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesdays; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays. Proceeds benefit the library.

March 18: Vandergrift Public Library is raffling a quilt made and donated by library patron Jane Strohm to benefit the library. Cost: $1 each or $5 for an arm’s length. The drawing will be March 18. Tickets: stop in at the library, 128C Washington Ave.

Washington Township

Feb. 19: A Moonlight Bingo will begin at 7:30 p.m. at Washington Township Volunteer Fire Hall, 4078 Route 66. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Cost: $35 includes buffet and drinks. Those attending must be at least 21 years old. Tickets: 724-727-3079 or visit Washington Township VFC - Westmoreland on Facebook.

March 27: Space applications are being accepted for an auto parts swap meet set for 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Washington Township Volunteer Fire Co., Route 66. Cost: outside 12 x 24-foot space, $25; outside 12 x 48-foot space, $45. Vendor set up will begin at 11 p.m. March 26. First come, first served. Items will include parts and accessories from anything automotive, classic, high performance, trucks, cars, motorcycles or boats. Food and beverages will be sold inside. Rain or shine. Details: 724-727-3079.

West Deer

March 26: Donations and sponsorships are being accepted by Change For Cancer for a spaghetti dinner planned from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at West Deer American Legion to benefit cancer patient Pete LaCava. Items needed include pasta, spaghetti sauce, bread, rolls, large bags of lettuce, desserts, sugar, bottled water, canned pop, lemonade mix, paper products and gift cards and gift baskets for an auction. Details: 724-994-7646 or changeforcancer@comcast.net.