The Stroller, Jan. 12, 2022: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley

Start the new year off right! 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.

Bowling event to benefit cat and kitten rescue

A bowling fundraiser to benefit Kiski Valley Vat and Kitten Rescue in Allegheny Township will be from 3 to 5 p.m. Feb. 12 at Nesbit’s Lanes, 3501 Leechburg Road, Plum.

Cost is $25 per person and includes two games, pizza, pop and shoe rental. For reservations, call or text Laura at 412-657-4224 or kvckr@hotmail.com.

Library accepting entries for annual quilt show

Community Library of Allegheny Valley will host its annual Quilt Show Monday through Jan. to 29 online and in person at the library, 1522 Broadview Blvd., Natrona Heights.

Entries will be accepted until Friday at the library during operating hours or via email. Do not drop off your quilt in the library book drop. Quilts must be handmade, but the person submitting the quilt does not have to be the one who made it. The submitting person must complete a form listing the owner’s name, style of quilt, size, category and year made if known. Categories are hand-quilted, machine-quilted or wall hanging.

The public will vote on their favorite in each category. There is no cost to enter, view or vote on a quilt. The quilt with the most votes in each category will be announced Jan. 31 and will receive a prize.

For information, call the library at 724-224-3491 or email kristinej@einetwork.net.

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.

Brackenridge

Today: Al-Anon will meet at 8 p.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church, 847 10th Ave. The group offers help and hope to families and friends of alcoholics.

Thursday: Bingo will begin at 7:15 p.m. at the American Legion, 845 First Ave.

Sunday: A bingo to benefit the Highlands Boys Basketball Boosters will be at 1 p.m. at Pioneer Hose Fire Hall, 124 Morgan St. Doors open at noon. Cost: $20, includes 20 regular games and five specials with cash prizes. There will be a $500 jackpot game, silent auction and side raffles. Snacks and beverages will be sold. Tickets: send a message at Pioneer Hose Ladies Auxiliary Brackenridge PA on Facebook.

Freeport

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 clothing, winter coats, shoes, bedding and purses welcome. Donations must be laundered and free from pet hair. Details: 724-295-3095.

Gilpin

Friday: A Red Cross community blood drive will be from noon to 5:30 p.m. at Gilpin Volunteer Firemen’s social hall, 113 Fire Hall Road. Appointments: 800-733-2767 or visit redcrossblood.org and use sponsor code GTVFD.

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 fall and winter 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: 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.

Thursday: Community Library of Allegheny Valley will host an adult painting class from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the library, 1522 Broadview Blvd., Natrona Heights. The subject will be a snowman in a winter night. Fee: $5, includes materials. Reservations required. Reservations: alleghenyvalleylibrary.org.

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.

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.

Jan. 22: Community Library of Allegheny Valley will offer a free program, “Be In Charge of Your Own Health,” from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at the library, 1522 Broadview Blvd., Natrona Heights. Online attendance also available. Learn all about the Alle-Kiski Health Foundation and how you can take charge of your health with simple steps. Reservations required. Reservations: visit the calendar section at alleghenyvalleylibrary.org.

Jan. 26: The new Kitchen Sink Book Club at Community Library of Allegheny Valley will meet at 6 p.m. in the library, 1522 Broadview Blvd. The selection will be, “The Silent Patient” by Alex Michaelides. Copies are available at the library. Reservations required. Details and reservations: 724-226-3491 or alleghenvalleylibrary.org.

Kiski Township

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: Saturday. Pick-up: Jan. 27. Orders: Morgan King, call or text 724-466-2812.

Leechburg

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

Manor 

Saturday : The Knee High To Nature Series at the Outdoor Discovery Center at Crooked Creek will offer sponsor a winter science program for children in elementary school at 10 a.m. or 1 p.m. at the center, 142 Kerr Road. Choose either session. Reservations required. Reservations: armstrongcenter.org/odc-events.

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. Those picking up meals should observe social distancing while waiting in line.

Springdale

Thursday: Lower Valley Community Food Bank will distribute food from 1 to 3 p.m. 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.

Jan. 19: The Wacky Wednesday program at 6 p.m. at Springdale Free Public Library will celebrate National Popcorn Day with games, crafts and popcorn. Children of all ages welcome. Registration and masks required. Registration: 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.

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.

Vandergrift

Today : Vandergrift Public Library, 128C Washington Ave., will host a free Toddler Time for children 4 and younger at 11 a.m. at the library. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-568-2212.

Jan. 19: Vandergrift Public Library will host meet-up event for children of all ages who are home schooled at 12:30 p.m. at the library, 128C Washington Ave. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-568-2212.

Jan. 21: Vandergrift Public Library and Kiski Area Youth Network will host a free Teen Afterhours event from 6 to 9 p.m. for students in sixth through 12^th grade at the library, 128C Washington Ave. Teens can enjoy food, games and friends with adult supervision. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-568-2212.

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.

West Deer

Today: East Union Presbyterian Church will have a takeout spaghetti dinner from 4 to 7 p.m. at the church, 292 East Union Road. Menu: spaghetti with choice of meat, meatball or mushroom sauce, salad, rolls and dessert. Donations will be accepted. Details: 724-265-1381.