The Stroller, Jan. 1, 2022: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley

Publicize your events, club meetings and fundraisers for free in The Stroller. Send information at least a week in advance to vndnews@triblive.com. Please include a daytime telephone number.

Therapy dogs welcome to join program at Allegheny Valley Hospital

Allegheny Valley Hospital, Harrison, is expanding its pet therapy program and invites all qualified therapy dog and handler teams to join the program.

Therapy dogs visit patients in their rooms, in common areas on the mental health units and in rehabilitation facilities and interact with staff in various departments.

Therapy dogs can be any breed and must be certified by a recognized organization, such as Therapets or Therapy Dogs International. To apply, therapy dog owners and handlers who are at least 18 years old can visit ahn.org/volunteer-application. For details, call Kimberly Giovanelli at 724-226-7370 or avhvol@ahn.org.

West Deer train display to benefit food bank

The Model Train Association at Bull Creek United Presbyterian Church, 224 Tarentum-Culmerville Road, will wrap up its annual holiday model train display from 4 to 8 p.m. Jan. 7, 8 and 9. For a private group viewing, call Billy at 724-272-3401 or Rick at 724-448-8444.

Admission is $4; and $1 for children. Non-perishable food will be collected to benefit the Allegheny Valley Association of Churches Food Bank.

Calendar

Apollo

Jan. 8: A vendor fair will be 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

Monday: 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 vitalant.org and click on the Schedule Now or New Donor buttons. Search for group code C664.

Harrison

Tuesday: Harvest Church will offer a GriefShare class for those experiencing grief Tuesdays beginning Jan. 4 at the Allegheny North Campus, 1333 Freeport Road, Natrona Heights. Book fee: $20. Details and registration: 724-548-5643.

Jan. 6: Community Library of Allegheny Valley will offer an internet literacy class at 6 p.m. in-person at the library, 1522 Broadview Blvd., Natrona Heights. Online access via Zoom.us also available. Learn how to stay safe while browsing the web, avoid scams and how anti-virus programs protect your devices. Reservations required. Reservations: visit the calendar tab at alleghenyvalleylibrary.org.

Jan. 8: Community Library of Allegheny Valley will host local author Jennifer Naviglia at 11 a.m. as she reads aloud and takes questions about her first book, “K-9 Merlyn: Police Dog Extraordinaire” in the library, 1522 Broadview Blvd., Natrona Heights. Children in grades 3 to 6 welcome. Face masks and registration required. Registration: alleghenyvalleylibrary.org.

Jan. 19: A trivia competition will be at 6 p.m. at Community Library of Allegheny Valley, 1522 Broadview Blvd. Form a team of up to four members of family and friends. The winning team will receive a gift card to Dairy Queen. Reservations required. Reservations: alleghenyvalleylibrary.org.

Kiski Township

Sunday: An all you can eat breakfast will be from 8 to 11:30 a.m. at Kiski Township Volunteer Firehall, 1037 Route 56. Menu: scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon, waffles, pancakes, French toast, home fries, hash browns, biscuits and gravy, toast and beverages. Cost: $11; age 4 to 12, $6.50; age 2 to 3, $2; younger than 2, free.

Jan. 27: Kiski Township Volunteer Fire Company is accepting orders for baked goods from The Pie Shoppe in Laughlintown. Varieties: chocolate meringue, coconut meringue, lemon meringue, apple, Dutch apple, blackberry, wild blueberry, razzleberry, cherry, peach and raisin pies, and pumpkin rolls, all $10; cinnamon rolls with white or cream cheese icing, $7.50 for 6; snails, $7.50 per dozen; pie variety pack of 4 4-inch pies, apple, blackberry, cherry and razzleberry, $9.50; and pepperoni rolls, $5. Paid order deadline: Jan. 15. Pick-up: Jan. 27. Orders: Morgan King, call or text 724-466-2812.

New Kensington

Today: Community Clothes Closet is closed for the holidays and will reopen Monday.

Jan. 8: A spaghetti dinner to benefit lung cancer patient Chris Ploski and his wife Emily will be at the Eagles, 2134 Freeport Road. Gift basket donations are being accepted for a silent auction. Details: Davis, 412-378-6296 or the Eagles, 724-335-7811.

Springdale

Monday: Springdale Free Public Library will reopen for normal hours. Details: 724-274-9729.

Wednesday : Springdale Free Public Library will have an evening storytime and crafts from 6 to 7 p.m. for children of all ages at the library, 331 School St. Face masks and reservations required. Reservations: 724-274-9729.

Summit Township

Jan. 23: Table reservations are being accepted for an antique and classic bicycle swap meet set for 8 a.m. to noon at Shindigs LLC Event Center, 705 Herman Road. Vendor set-up will begin at 6 a.m. Cost: $30. Details and reservations: Jeff Rapp,724-287-8048 or Howard Gordon, 724-205-8172.

Vandergrift

Today: Vandergrift Public Library is closed for the New Year’s holiday. Details: 724-568-2212.