The Stroller, Feb. 23, 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.

Annual Shamrock Shuffle event planned in West Leechburg

The St. Patrick’s Day Shamrock Shuffle 5K and one-mile Fun Walk will begin at 10 a.m. March 12 at West Leechburg Fire Department Social Hall, 1116 Gosser St.

The course will run through the streets of West Leechburg and return to the fire hall. A virtual option is also available. Check-in begins at 9 a.m. Cost is $25 for the live 5K, and $20 for the live Family Walk and both virtual events.

Participants must register by Friday to be guaranteed a race t-shirt. Costumes are encouraged and leashed furry friends are welcome. To register, visit runsignup.com/Race/PA/Leechburg/ShamShuffle. A portion of proceeds will benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. For details, visit kvcares.com.

Calendar

Apollo

Today: 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.

Saturday: Apollo Masons will host a Vitalant community blood drive from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the lodge first floor meeting room, 219 First St. Appointments recommended. Bring ID. Appointments: visit donateblood.centralbloodbank.org and enter group code C2210064 or call Ron at 724-478-4824 or Keith at 724-396-0539.

March 12: Vendor applications are being accepted for a fair planned from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the parish center at St. James Parish, 109 Owens View Ave. All vendors needed. Cost: $20 per table; without electricity, $15. Details: Linda, 724-882-8776.

March 17: St. James Parish is selling tickets for a Luck of the Irish scratch-off lottery ticket raffle. Winner will receive one roll of $5, $10 and $20 Pa. Lottery scratch off tickets. The winning number will be the 7 p.m. March 17 Pa. Daily Pick 3 number. Cost: $10, includes two numbers. Tickets: Linda, 724-882-8776 or after weekend Masses in the church vestibule and the church office, 109 Owens View Ave.

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

Today: 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.

Buffalo Township

March 3: 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 and click on the Schedule Now or New Donor buttons. Search for group code C664.

Freeport

Today: St. Mary Mother of God Church, 608 High St., will host a Vitalant community blood drive from noon to 5 p.m. in the church hall. Appointments recommended. Appointments: 412-209-7000 or visit donateblood.centralbloodbank.org and use group code G0040286.

Today: 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 spring and summer clothing, 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 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.

Today: 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.

Today: 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.

Friday: 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 : Community Library of Allegheny Valley will offer a free program, “Discover Medicare,” at 10 a.m. at the library, 1522 Broadview Blvd. Reservations required. Reservations: 800-800-1999 or 412-512-0106.

March 3: A computer literacy class, “Privacy in the Digital Age,” will be offered at 6 p.m. at Community Library of Allegheny Valley, 1522 Broadview Blvd., Natrona Heights. Online attendance available. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-226-3491 or visit the calendar section at alleghenyvalleylibrary.org.

Leechburg

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

Today: The Open Teen Forum will be at 4:40 p.m. at Leechburg Public Library, 139 Market St. Details: 724-236-0080.

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.

New Kensington 

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.

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 are donated by the café in celebration of its fifth anniversary. Those picking up meals should observe social distancing while waiting in line.

Saturday : 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 appreciated. Cost: pierogi, $10 per dozen; stuffed cabbage, 2 for $6, 4 for $12 or six for $18. Orders: Valerie, 724-226-0942 or saintjohnnewken@gmail.com.

April 2: Redemption Church is accepting space applications from crafters and vendors for a fair set for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Quality Inn, 300 Tarentum Bridge Road. Cost: $35, includes table and two chairs. No electricity is available for crafter/vendor use. Forms and information: Marcie Covey, 724-448-4984 redemptionpa.org/events or marciecoveyleo@gmail.com. Application deadline: March 20. Proceeds will benefit the church’s Clean Water Initiative to raise funds to dig wells for the people of Malawi.

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

Thursday : 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.

Oklahoma

March 12: A comedy night to benefit Apollo Kiski Little League will be at 7 p.m. at Oklahoma School House Hall, 171 Thorn St. Shaun Blackham will be the featured performer. Doors open at 5 p.m. and dinner is at 6. Must be 21 to attend. ID required. BYOB There will be raffles, strip tickets and a silent auction. Cost: $30. Tickets: Stephanie, 724-388-4320 or Jen, 724-448-3691.

Plum

Fridays: Plum Community Center will offer free instruction about technology devices from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Fridays March 4 through 25 and April 1 by appointment at the center, 499 Center New Texas Road. Appointments: 412-795-2330.

March 10: Allegheny County Health Department will have a vaccination clinic from noon to 2 p.m. at Plum Community Center, 499 Center New Texas Road. Vaccines available will include first, second and booster doses of Moderna, Pfizer and J& J covid-19, influenza and pediatric vaccines. Appointments required. Appointments: Samantha, 412-795-2330.

Springdale

Thursday: Lower Valley Community Food Bank will distribute food from 1 to 3 p.m. Thursday from the rear entrance of the Springdale borough building. Do not arrive before 12:45 p.m. Anyone in need of food who lives in Springdale, Springdale Township, Cheswick, Harmar and the sections of Indiana Township and West Deer with a zip code of 15024 is welcome. New recipients can register Thursday.

March 2: A Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss story time be at 6 p.m. at Springdale Free Public Library, 331 School St. Children of all ages welcome. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-274-9729.

Tarentum

Today: 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. Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Menu: elks644.org/elks-kitchen-1. Orders: 724-226-1644 by 8:15 p.m.

Thursday: The free diaper bank at Highlands Family Center, 415 E. Fourth Ave., will be open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. One distribution per child per month is available. Details: 724-224-9006.

Vandergrift 

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 1: A free Dr. Seuss’ Birthday party for children age 2 to 10 will be at 6 p.m. at Vandergrift Public Library, 128C Washington Ave. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-568-2212.

March 12: A drag queen bingo to benefit Kiski 9U Travel Baseball Team will be at 6 p.m. at the Veterans of Foreign Wars, 141 Sumner Ave. Doors open at 5 p.m. Cost: $30 in advance. Tickets: Danelle, 724-882-7972.

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

Friday: 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.

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.