The Stroller, Feb. 7, 2025: 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. Follow the Stroller on X at @VNDStroller.

Lower Burrell Citizen Police Academy accepting applications

The Lower Burrell Citizen Police Academy will begin March 6 at the city municipal building. Classes will be from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursdays for 10 weeks with the exception of April 17.

The program is designed to promote partnerships through education. Participants will be provided with a wide range of information intended to help better understand the goals and objectives, rules, responsibilities and legal parameters under which the police department functions. Applicants must be 18 years or older and residents of Lower Burrell. Class size is limited to 25.

For an application and more information, call 724-339-4287, ext. 268, visit tinyurl.com/4fwmybjy or stop in at the police station. Application deadline is Feb. 27.

Fun and Freedom Inc. to sponsor designer purse bash

A designer purse bash to benefit Fun and Freedom Inc. will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Feb. 22 at the Springdale Veterans Association Hall, 1151 Pittsburgh St., Springdale.

Cost is $50 and includes entry into 13 main ticket drawings, dinner, dessert use of the photo booth and entry into the door prize drawings. There will be side raffles, a silent auction, mystery wristlets and a 50-50.

For tickets, call 724-274-7333 or visit fun-and-freedom-inc.square.site. Tickets will be mailed to you.

Free rides available to medical appointments

Wesley Family Services offers free transportation for those 18 and older from their homes to medical facilities within New Kensington, Arnold, Lower Burrell and parts of Vandergrift.

Rides are available from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays except holidays. One-way and round-trip rides are available.

For details, call 724-895-8214.

Calendar

Apollo

Saturday: Apollo Hose Company No. 2 will have bingo at 7 p.m. at the firehall, 325 N. Fourth St. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Cost: $25 per packet. The kitchen will be open with a limited menu. Details: 724-478-4831.

Arnold

Saturday: The American Legion will meet at 2 p.m. at the Arnold Public Safety Building, 601 Drey St. The group meets the second Saturday of each month.

Brackenridge

Saturday: The American Legion will have karaoke with DJ. Tim from 7 to 11 p.m. at the post, 845 First Ave. Members and guests welcome.

March 8: A spaghetti dinner to benefit Prospect Cemetery will be from 1 to 5 p.m. at the American Legion, 845 First Ave. Menu: spaghetti with meat sauce, tossed salad, Italian bread & butter, dessert and beverage. Cost: $10; 12 and younger, $5. Dine in or take out. Sponsored in cooperation with the American Legion and Central Presbyterian Church. Tickets: Cindy, 724-612-0076, or David, 724-882-2185, or at Asay’s News Stand or Diamond Antiques, both in Tarentum.

Buffalo Township

April 13: A Sarris candy sale to benefit Buffalo Elementary PTA is being conducted online at sarriscandiesfundraising.com. Candy is available for Valentine’s Day and Easter. Use group number 10-1588.

East Vandergrift 

Feb. 14: Our Lady, Queen of Peace Parish is selling tickets for a Sweetheart cash raffle. The winning numbers will be the 1:30 and 7 p.m. Pennsylvania Lottery Pick-4 numbers on Valentine’s Day. Each winner will receive $1,000 and a $100 gift certificate to Sweetlane Chocolate Shop in Vandergrift. Cost: $10, includes two numbers. Tickets: 724-568-3409 or 724-859-3186, in the parish office or after Sunday Mass in the church vestibule.

Freeport

Saturday: The Lego Club for children age 10 to 17 at Freeport Area Library will meet from 1:30 to 3 p.m. at the library, 428 Market St. The group meets the second Saturday of each month. Details: 724-295-3616.

Harrison 

Today: Community Library of Allegheny Valley will host Toddle Time for children 12 months to 3 years old and their caregiver at 10 a.m. at the library, 1522 Broadview Blvd. No reservations required.

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: The Diaper Pantry at Christ Our Hope Anglican Church will distribute diapers from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the church, 926 Painter Ave., and at Sheldon Park, both in Natrona Heights. Recipients must drive up and remain in their vehicles. First-time recipients must provide their own identification, the child’s birth certificate and a current WIC or SNAP card.

Sunday: The Knights of Columbus will host a pancake and sausage breakfast from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the council home, 28 Garfield St., Natrona. Cost: $7; younger than 6, $4.

Feb. 15: Community Library of Allegheny Valley will host free native plant workshops at 9, 9:45 and 10:30 a.m. at the library, 1522 Broadview Blvd. Choose one session. Children accompanied by an adult welcome. Supplies will be provided. Reservations required. Reservations: alleghenyvalleylibrary.org.

Leechburg 

Saturday: The Leechburg Museum is closed for the season. Visits are available by appointment. Details: 724-845-8914 and leave a message or email lamahs@windstream.net.

Feb. 13: First United Methodist Church will host a Vitalant community blood drive from 2 to 6:30 p.m. in fellowship hall, 251 Main St. Appointments recommended. Appointments: 877-258-4825 or visit Vitalant.org and search for code UG0110175 or ZIP Code 15656.

Lower Burrell

Saturday: The Veterans of Foreign Wars post, Wildlife Lodge Road, will feature the Sycamore Street Band from 8 to 11 p.m. Members and three guests welcome.

Saturday: The ClothesLine Ministry at Bethesda Lutheran Church, 3084 Leechburg Road, will be open from 9 a.m. to noon. Cost: clothing, shoes and purses, 25 cents each or five for $1; semi/formal dresses, leather coats, designer shoes and purses, $5. Please bring your own bags.

Feb. 20: A Pennsylvania CareerLink job fair will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Veterans of Foreign Wars, 1601 Wildlife Lodge Road. Details: 724-334-8600.

New Kensington 

Saturday: A free seed swap to prepare for the upcoming growing season will be from 1 to 3 p.m. at Peoples Library, 880 Barnes St. Bring your extra seeds to trade and meet with other gardeners and Penn State Master Gardeners of Westmoreland County. Details: 724-339-1021.

April 19 to Oct. 25: The Downtown New Kensington Farmers Market is accepting vendor applications for this year’s market season. Local vendors who sell fresh local produce, meat, poultry, dairy products, juice, cheese, bread and baked goods welcome. Details: downtownnkmarkets@gmail.com.

Oakmont

Feb. 17: The Knit and Crochet Cozy Mysteries Book Club at Oakmont Carnegie Library will meet from 6 to 8 p.m. at the library, 700 Allegheny River Blvd. Members discuss a book while knitting or crocheting. Must be at least 18. The selection will be “Happiness Falls” by Angie Kim. Copies are available at the library. Reservations required by 6 p.m. Feb. 15. Reservations: oakmontlibrary.org.

Oakmont/Verona

Feb. 13: Riverview Relay for Life is accepting orders for its Daffodil Days fundraiser through Feb. 13 to support the American Cancer Society. Cost: $15 for a bunch of daffodils or tulips; and $20 for mini-potted daffodils. A Gift of Hope is available for $25 and your flowers will be donated to a local cancer center, nursing home or hospice. Orders will be delivered in the Oakmont-Verona area during the week of March 18. Orders: tinyurl.com/dd25oakmontverona.

O’Hara

Wednesday: A Vitalant community blood drive will be from 7:30 a.m. to 1 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. To receive a $20 reward gift card, register online and use code GIFTLOVE-2025-V when scheduling. Appointments: 877-258-4825 or visit the Donate Blood button at Vitalant.org and use group code UHS010025.

Parks Township

Today: Parks Township Volunteer Fire Department will host bingo at 7 p.m. in the firehall, 1119 Dalmation Drive. Doors open at 5 p.m.

Sunday: Parks Township Sportsman’s Club will have a country music jam night from 5 to 8 p.m. at the club, 1111 Shipman Road. Bring your favorite stringed instrument and sing along. Refreshments available. Public welcome. Details: 724-845-2390.

Tarentum 

Today: Free bread and baked goods will be distributed at 10 a.m. while supplies last at Highlands Family Center, 415 E. Fourth Ave., suite 12. Details: 724-224-9006.

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.

Saturday: The Near the Edge Band will be featured from 8 to 11 p.m. at the Elks, 219 E. Sixth Ave. Members and guests welcome.

Saturday: A Valentine’s pancake breakfast will be from 8 to 11 a.m. at the Masons, 307 Lock St., second floor. Cost: $10; Valentine’s special for all women, half off; children 6 to 12, $5. Dine in or take out. Tickets will be available for the April 12 50-50 drawing to benefit the lodge scholarship program. Public welcome.

Feb. 15: A Valentine’s dance featuring the 56 East Band will be from 8 to 11 p.m. at the Elks, 219 E. Sixth Ave. Cost: $10, includes select beverages and snacks. Tickets: stop in at the lodge.

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. The kitchen will open and card sales start at 6 p.m. Free coffee. The kitchen will be open. Players must be at least 18 or accompanied by an adult.

West Deer

Saturday: A Sweetheart Bingo to benefit Deer Lakes Hockey Club will be in the activity building at St. Victor Church, 531 Bairdford Road. Doors open at 5 p.m. and games will begin at 5:45. Cost: $30, cash only, includes seven regular games, two specials and one coverall game. BYOB Food, pop, mixers and water will be sold, cash only.

Feb. 16: Allegheny County Park rangers will host a free guided hike “Impact of Invasives” from 1 to 3 p.m. at Deer Lakes Park. Meet at the Pike shelter. The hike will be approximately two miles with moderate elevation changes. Bring water and wear closed toe shoes. Reservations required. Reservations: tinyurl.com/bdcpvye4.