The Stroller, Feb. 25, 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.

String ensemble concert planned in Tarentum

The concert series at Central Presbyterian Church, Tarentum, will present, “Music of the People: Classical Music Inspired by Folk Tunes,“ with the Academy Chamber Ensemble at 4 p.m. Sunday at the church, 305 Allegheny St.

Guest performers will include Nicholas Vranesevic on bass and Robin Hasenpflug on cello. Donations will be accepted. For details, call 724-224-9220 or visit CPCTarentum.org.

Grants available to Westmoreland County performing arts groups

The Westmoreland County Bureau of Parks and Recreation is offering grants to non-profit organizations to support art-related projects and activities that benefit county residents.

Local non-profit arts organizations and governmental units involved in the production or display of arts activities are eligible to apply Eligible activities include projects involving music, theater, dance and other performing and visual arts.

Projects that are not open to the public, take place outside the county, have a religious purpose or serve as vehicles for prizes, fundraising or academic credit are not eligible.

Application deadline is March 29. For an application, visit co.westmoreland.pa.us/parks or call 724-830-3950.

Calendar

Apollo

Saturday: The 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.

Buffalo Township 

Sunday: A spaghetti dinner will be from 2 to 6 p.m. at the White Star Club, 401 Shuster Drive. Menu: spaghetti with meat sauce, salad and rolls, $10; homemade meatballs, $3. Dine-in or takeout. Orders: 724-295-2656.

Thursday: 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.

Gilpin

March 6: Gilpin Volunteer Fire Department is accepting orders for a drive-thru stuffed cabbage sale. Cost: $2 each; and $2 per quart of mashed potatoes. Pick-up: 4:30 p.m. March 6 at the firehall, 113 Firehall Road. Advance orders required. Orders: 724-845-7200, leave a message.

Harrison

Today: 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.

Thursday: 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.

March 5: St. Joseph High School, 800 Montana Ave., will host its spring open house by appointment from 10 a.m. to noon at the school. Details and appointments: Shane Palumbo, 724-226-4932 or admissions@SaintJosephHS.com.

Leechburg

Saturday: A benefit dinner for Nevaeh Zoldak will be from 3 to 6 p.m. at Leechburg Volunteer Firehall, 268 Canal St. Menu: Big Joe’s Barbeque pulled pork or meatball sandwich, beans, butter potatoes, coleslaw and dessert, $12. There will be a silent auction and 50/50 raffle. Proceeds will help with her expenses.

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

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

Sunday: A takeout spaghetti dinner will be from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Moose, 499 Reimer St. Menu: spaghetti, salad and roll, $8.

New Kensington 

Saturday and Monday: The Community Clothes Closet, 1129 Kenneth Ave., will be open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. First-time customers receive 15 free items. Summer clothing donations accepted during open hours.

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.

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

Tuesday: 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.

March 7: The Geraldine Yanni Science program for children in second through sixth grade at Springdale Free Public Library will meet at 6 p.m. at the library, 331 School St. The topic will be electricity. Space is limited. Reservations and masks required. Reservations: 724-274-9729.

Tarentum

Saturday: 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 

Through Monday: 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.

Tuesday: 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

Today: 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.