The Stroller, Feb. 27, 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.

Annual subscription campaign continues at Lower Kiski Ambulance Service

Lower Kiski Ambulance Service recently sent out a second mailing to residents of Leechburg, West Leechburg, Hyde Park, Gilpin and Allegheny Township for its annual subscription campaign.

Cost is $70 for an individual and $90 per family. To donate, visit tinyurl.com/LowerKiski. Anyone who needs a mailing or has questions can call the station at 724-845-8504. Thank you to those who have already contributed.

Vandergrift veterans memorial to receive update

The Casino Theater and several veterans’ organizations in Vandergrift plan to update and renew the plaques at the memorial on Washington Avenue this spring.

To have a plaque added to the display, at least one of these are requited: residents must have been born in the 15690 or 15629 zip codes, enlisted from Vandergrift or East Vandergrift or lived in either of these two boroughs for a period of time. All honorees must have served in the armed forces in wartime or during peacetime and have been honorably discharged. To add a new listing or correct a previous one, call 724-681-6667 or email jlo129@live.com.

Plaques already on the memorial will be transferred and no action need be taken. The groups would like to have additions and changes made and installed by Memorial Day.

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.

March 17: St. James Parish is selling tickets for a Luck of the Irish lottery ticket raffle. Cost: $10, includes two three-digit numbers. The winner receives a complete roll of $5, $10 and $20 Pennsylvania scratch-off lottery tickets. The winning number will be the 7 p.m. Daily Pick 3 number on March 17. Tickets: Linda, 724-882-8776, in the parish office and after weekend Masses in the church vestibule. 

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 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the center parking lot, 917 Brackenridge Ave. 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. Details: 724-994-6030.

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. Childcare and brunch are provided. Reservations required. Reservations: visit Sarver MOPS on Facebook.

March 9: The Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania will sponsor a program on maple sugaring at Buffalo Creek Nature Park, 154 Monroe Road. A naturalist will lead a walk through the history of maple sugaring. Sessions will be at 10, 10:30, 11 and 11:30 a.m. Rain or shine. Cost: $10; and Audubon Society members, $6. Reservations required. Reservations: aswp.org/events or call 412-963-6100.

Cheswick

Wednesday: A department service officer from the American Legion will be available by appointment from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the office of Pa. Rep. Mandy Steele, 1296 Pittsburgh St. Appointments: 724-826-5151.

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.

March 8: A Red Cross community blood drive will be from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Gilpin Volunteer Firehall, 113 Firehall Road. Appointments: 800-733-2767 or visit redcrossblood.org and use sponsor code GTVFD.

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: 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. This week’s theme will be Dr. Seuss. No reservations required.

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. Cost: tops and bottoms for men and women, $50 cents; children’s clothing, 25 cents. Donations welcome during these hours. Everyone welcome.

Wednesday : The Kitchen Sink Book Club at Community Library of Allegheny Valley will meet at 5:30 p.m. at the library, 1522 Broadview Blvd. The selection will be “Horse” by Geraldine Brooks. Copies are available at the circulation desk. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-226-3491 or alleghenyvalleylibrary.org.

Wednesday : The Coffeehaus Teen Book Club will meet from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the library. Students who are at least in seventh grade are welcome to read any book of their choice and come ready to chat about it with other members. There will be coffee and a snack. Reservations required. Reservations: tinyurl.com/yc43y2d7.

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.

March 15: Allegheny Valley Hospital Auxiliary is sponsoring a raffle for a Hilton Head, S.C., vacation. The prize includes seven nights in a condo either the week of June 30 to July 7, 2024 or Aug. 11 to 18, 2024 at Shelter Cove Harbor in Hilton Head. Meals and transportation not included. Tickets: $2 each or three for $5, cash and checks accepted. Tickets will be sold from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday and Friday and March 7, 8, 14 and 15 in the hospital main lobby, 1301 Carlisle St., Natrona Heights. The winner will be drawn at 3 p.m. March 15. Proceeds benefit auxiliary projects for the hospital.

Jefferson Township

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.

March 10: Kiski Township Volunteer Fire Company will host its spring gun bash at noon at the firehall, 1037 Route 56. Doors open at 11 a.m. Cost: $25, includes food and drink. Tickets: Christine, 724-541-6345.

Leechburg

Thursday: A lasagna dinner will be served from 4 to 6 p.m. at Holy Innocents Anglican Church, 366 Third St. Cost: $12, includes lasagna, salad, bread and dessert. Dine in or takeout. A portion of proceeds will benefit local church outreach programs. Takeout orders: 724-845-6165 or 724-845-3305, on Thursday.

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: Peoples Library will host a family story time at 1 p.m. at the library, 3052 Wachter St. Details: 724-339-1021.

Wednesday: Peoples Library will host an open play session for children 6 and younger and their caregiver at 11 a.m. at the library, 3052 Wachter Ave. Details: 724-339-1021.

Through Thursday: Allegheny Valley League of Artists will sponsor an exhibit of the works of member Lynn Jacques at Peoples Library, 3052 Wachter Ave. Hours: 1 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays.

March 9: Lower Burrell Police Department will sponsor a Vitalant community blood drive from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Moose, 499 Reimer St. Appointments recommended, but walk-ins are welcome. Appointments: Sharon Crawford, 412-600-4333; 877-258-4825 or visit the Donate Blood button at Vitalant.org and use account code 10055683.

New Kensington

Today: Peoples Library will host a family story time at 11 a.m. at the library, 880 Barnes St. Details: 724-339-1021.

Today and Saturday: The Community Clothes Closet, 1129 Kenneth Ave., will be open from noon to 2 p.m. Tuesday 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: Peoples Library will host an open play session for children 6 and younger and their caregiver at 11 a.m. at the library, 880 Barnes St. Details: 724-339-1021.

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; specials will be available. The kitchen will be open. Public welcome. Details: 724-448-7403.

Thursday: Knead Community Café will hand out free grab-and-go meals from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the cafe, 1011 Barnes St. This week’s meals are sponsored by Robert and Catherine Cornell. Details: 878-847-7997.

Oakmont

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. Please note the new location. Details: 412-828-3854 or jmjkwj@gmail.com.

Parks Township 

March 9: A purse bash to benefit Kiddies’ Korner Nursery School will be from 1 to 4 p.m. at Parks Township Volunteer Firehall, 1119 Dalmation Drive. Doors open at noon. Cost: $30, includes appetizers, desserts, coffee, tea, water and a chance to win 13 designer purses. There will be a basket raffle and 50-50. Winner need not be present. Tickets: 724-478-1420.

Plum

Thursday : Plum Community Library will offer a historical program “The History of Kaufmann’s Department Store: Everything Under the Sun!” at 6:30 p.m. at the library, 445 Center New Texas Road. Robert O. Stakely from the Senator John Heinz History Center will be the speaker. Reservations required. Reservations: plumlibrary.org.

Tarentum

Wednesday: A free board game night will be from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Alle-Kiski Valley Heritage Museum, 224 E Seventh Ave. Details: akvhs.org.

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 before 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: A Dr. Seuss birthday party for children age 2 to 12 will be at 6 p.m. at Vandergrift Public Library, 128C Washington Ave. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-568-2212.

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.

Washington Township

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

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 is sizes for preemie through size 10/12 available as well as stroller, car seats, toys and more. No reservations required. Details: 724-524-1809 or tinyurl.com/mw9kd9cp.