The Stroller, Feb. 21, 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.

Children encouraged to enter bookmark design contest

Vandergrift Public Library is sponsoring a bookmark design contest for students in kindergarten through 12^th grade.

Bookmarks should be an original creation. Winners will receive a free book and have their bookmark reproduced for distribution at the library. The submission deadline is March 1. For complete design details and an entry form, visit Vandergriftpubliclibrary.org.

Monarch Hospice seeking volunteers

Monarch Hospice, Lower Burrell, is looking for volunteers to help with personal companionship, emotional support, pet therapy, sewing and knitting and as an administrative assistant.

Schedules are flexible and no minimum hours are required. For information, call 724-335-1600 or visit monarchhospice.net.

Calendar

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. There will be specials and wish jars. Details: 724-478-4831.

Wednesdays and Saturdays: Apollo Area Historical Society Museum, 317 N. Second St., is closed for the season. Visits are available by appointment. Appointments: 724-478-2849 or 724-212-9255.

Arnold

Tuesday: St. Vladimir Church, 1610 Kenneth Ave., will sponsor a bingo night at the church hall. Doors open at 6 p.m. There is a $1,000 jackpot game with a $500 consolation prize. Pierogi, snacks, drinks, daubers and extra packages will be sold. Admission: $25.

Tuesday: Free lunch will be served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The Tomb, 1821 Fifth Ave.

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 in the church social hall. Cost: $12 per dozen. Orders: 724-339-9257, 8 to 10 a.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Brackenridge

Wednesday: St. Barnabas Church, 989 Morgan St., will offer Ashes on the Corner from noon to 2 p.m. and 4 to 5 p.m. outside on the Morgan Street side of the church. An Ash Wednesday service with imposition of ashes and Holy Eucharist will be at 7 p.m. at the church. Details: 724-224-9280.

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.

Saturday : The American Legion Auxiliary will sponsor a soup cook-off from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at the post, 845 First Ave. Bring your best soup in a slow cooker or roaster by 12:30 p.m., and your recipe if you wish to share it. Soup will be sold as a fundraiser for the auxiliary, takeout or dine in. Prizes will be awarded at 3 p.m. to the top three soups, as voted by people sampling. Public welcome to sample, vote and purchase soup. Entrant registration required. Details and registration: Anita, 412-860-6351.

Buffalo Township

March 2: Zion United Methodist Church will host a community blood drive from 1 to 7 p.m. in the church Family Life Center, 438 Bear Creek Road. Appointments recommended. Bring ID. Appointments: 412-209-7000 or visit donateblood.centralbloodbank.org. Search for group code C664.

Frazer

Tuesday: A fundraiser to benefit the Alle-Kiski Area Hope Center will be from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. at Applebee’s Grill and Bar, Pittsburgh Mills. Present the flyer to your server when you order and 15% of your check will be donated. For a flyer, visit Alle-Kiski Area Hope Center Inc. on Facebook.

Freeport

Wednesday: The Thrift Store Clothing Ministry at Freeport United Methodist Church, 211 Fourth St., will be open from noon 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. Donations must be laundered and free from pet hair. Handicap accessible. Details: 724-295-3095.

March 2: St. Mary Mother of God Church will offer the free ALPHA program at 6:30 p.m. Thursdays for 12 weeks beginning March 2 at the church, 608 High St. The program will explore life, faith and meaning. There is no requirement to be a Catholic or Christian to attend. There will be a meal, a video presentation and a discussion each week. Details and reservations: stmaryfreeport.com.

Harrison

Tuesday: A story time for children age 3 to 5 will be at 10 a.m. at Community Library of Allegheny Valley, 1522 Broadview Blvd. There will counting, ABCs, stories and singing. No reservations required.

Tuesday: Tarentum Area Lions Club will host, “Love Our Community,” at 6 p.m. in the Veterans of Foreign Wars banquet hall, 894 Veterans Lane. Members of all local organizations and individuals who feel a strong sense of commitment and service to the community are welcome. Lions Club members are urged to attend.

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. Details and alternate times: 724-226-0606, ext. 10.

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

Wednesday: The Agape Thrift Shop at Grace United Methodist Church, 1333 Freeport Road, will be open from 1 to 4 p.m. Clean 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 : 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.

March 11: A comedy and magic show with dinner will be at the Veterans of Foreign Wars, 894 Veterans Drive. Doors open at 5 p.m. and dinner will be served at 6. The show featuring Michael Misko will begin at 8 p.m. There will be a cash bar, pull tabs and a 50-50 raffle. Cost: $35. Tickets: Deb, 412-298-6175, or Michelle, 724-889-7136.

Lower Burrell

Tuesday: Peoples Library, 3052 Wachter Ave., will offer a preschool story time for children 3 to 6 and their caregivers at 1 p.m. at the library. Details: 724-339-1021.

Wednesday: The Moose will host free DJ Trivia at 7 p.m. at the lodge, 499 Reimer St. Members and qualified guests welcome. Trivia will be the fourth Wednesday of each month.

New Kensington 

Tuesday: Peoples Library, 880 Barnes St. will offer a preschool story time for children 3 to 6 and their caregivers at 11 a.m. at the library. Details: 724-339-1021.

Tuesday and Saturday: The Community Clothes Closet, 1129 Kenneth Ave., will be open from noon to 2 p.m. 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 are welcome during business hours.

Oakmont

Tuesday: The free Third Tuesdays at the Movies program at Oakmont Carnegie Library will present, “Downton Abbey: A New Era,” at 3 p.m. at the library, 700 Allegheny River Blvd. Details: 412-828-9532.

Tuesdays: Taking Pounds Off Sensibly (TOPS) meets at 6 p.m. at Oakmont United Methodist Church, 419 Maryland Ave. Monthly dues: $5; first meeting is free. Details: vrevilla@pointpark.edu.

Springdale  

Wednesday : The Wacky Wednesday program for children in kindergarten through sixth grade will meet at 6 p.m. at Springdale Free Public Library, 331 School St. The evening will be a movie night featuring the film, “The Princess and the Frog,” rated G. Registration required. Registration: 724-274-9729.

March 2: Springdale Free Public Library, 331 School St., will host a Read Across America Family Fun Night for all ages from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the library. Celebrate the birthday of Dr. Seuss with crafts, snacks and fun. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-274-9729.

Tarentum

Tuesday: Cub Scout Pack 186 will sponsor a Shrove Tuesday pancake and sausage dinner from 5 to 7 p.m. at First United Presbyterian Church, 913 Lock St. Donations will be accepted to help the Scouts’ summer camp fund.

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.

March 2: Alle-Kiski Valley Heritage Museum and History Center is accepting table reservations for an evening of scrapbooking planned from 6 to 8 p.m. at the museum, 224 E. Seventh Ave. Donations will be accepted. Bring your own supplies. Soft drinks, coffee and treats will be sold. Reservations: 724-224-7666, leave a message.

Vandergrift

Tuesday: Vandergrift Public Library will have a family game night from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the library, 128C Washington Ave. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-568-2212.

February: Vandergrift Public Library, 128C Washington Ave., will have 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.

March 31: Vandergrift Public Library is raffling a quilt made and donated by library patron Jane Strohm to benefit the library. Cost: $1 each; 5 for 10; and $10 for 25 tickets. The drawing will be March 31. Cash, check or PayPal accepted. Details and a photo of the quilt: Vandergriftpubliclibrary.org. Tickets: stop in at the library, 128C Washington Ave.

Washington Township

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

West Deer 

Wednesdays: Good Samaritan Hospice, a mission of Concordia Lutheran Ministries, will host a grief support group from 4 to 5 p.m. March 1 to 29 at Highpointe at Rebecca, 1871 Highpointe Lane. A virtual group will meet from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Fridays March 3 to 31. Reservations required by Feb. 24. . Reservations: Brittany Foy, 800-720-2557, ext. 4428.