The Stroller, Jan. 13, 2023: 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.

Free cancer screenings offered at Allegheny Valley Hospital

Allegheny Health Network Cancer Institute will offer free cancer screenings Jan. 28 at Allegheny Valley Hospital, 1301 Carlisle St., Harrison.

Screenings will be available for the following cancers: breast, cervical, colorectal, head and neck, lung, prostate and skin. The event is open to both AHN and non-AHN patients and health insurance is not required. Reservations are required by Jan. 20. For a reservation, call 412-359-6665.

Students invited to develop engagement strategy for PennDOT

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and Department of Environmental Protection invite high school students in grade nine to 12 to enter the sixth annual PennDOT Innovations Challenge, which encourages students to use their problem solving, creative and strategic thinking abilities to solve real-world transportation challenges.

This year’s contest asks students to ideas to help address the shortage of commercial truck parking along major interstate corridors in Pennsylvania. Trucks parking on highway shoulders and ramps is common during overnight hours and presents a significant safety issue.

Regional winners will be selected and invited to compete in Harrisburg for the state championship. The winning team will receive $2,500 from the Associated Pennsylvania Constructors and $1,500 from the American Council of Engineering Companies of Pennsylvania. The submission deadline is Jan. 27. For details, visit penndot.gov/innovation and click on the Innovations Challenge.

A-K Health Foundation to sponsor free first aid class

Alle-Kiski Health Foundation will offer a free American Red Cross First Aid class from 6 to 9 p.m. Feb. 1 at the foundation offices, 1 Acee Drive, Natrona Heights, Harrison.

The class is intended for laypersons and will cover basic emergency procedures regarding breathing issues, heart attacks, strokes, seizures, bleeding, broken bones, recognizing the signs of opioid overdoses and more. There may be a nominal charge for the certification card.

Space is limited and reservations are required. For reservations, call the foundation at 724-294-3157.

Calendar

Apollo

Jan. 21: An all-you-can-eat wing night to benefit the Apollo-Ridge High School boys basketball program will be from 5 to 10 p.m. at Oak Hill Firehall, 707 N. Fifth Ave. BYOB. Must be 21 to attend. There will be silent auctions, strip tickets, door prizes and a 50/50. Cost: $20. Tickets: Francine Garrone, 724-212-5900, or Megan Weigand, 724-316-5053.

Arnold

Sunday: Arnold No. 2 Auxiliary and Arnold Fireman’s Band will host a luncheon bingo at 1:30 p.m. in the Arnold Social Center, 1702 Fifth Ave. Doors open at noon. Cost: $6, includes light lunch and one lapboard. Players must be at least 12 years old.

Bethel

Jan. 21: The Outdoor Discovery Center at Crooked Creek, 142 Kerr Road, will host a lecture, “But It’s Just a Day Hike, and Other Famous Last Words,” from noon to 2 p.m. at the center. Instructors from the True North Wilderness Survival School will discuss how to better protect yourself and others during your next outdoor adventure. Suitable for those who are at least 13-years-old. Cost: $10. Reservations required. Reservations and details: armstrongcenter.org/odc-events.

Jan. 21: The Outdoor Discovery Center at Crooked Creek, 142 Kerr Road, will host a lecture, “Vultures: The Private Life of an Unloved Bird,” with author Kate Fallon at 3 p.m. at the center. Cost: $8. Reservations required. Reservations and details: armstrongcenter.org/odc-events.

Jan. 22: The Outdoor Discovery Center at Crooked Creek, 142 Kerr Road, will offer a free class on the basics of snowshoeing at noon at the center. Reservations required. Reservations and details: armstrongcenter.org/odc-events.

East Vandergrift

Sunday: The traditional blessing of St. Maurus over the sick will be offered immediately after the 11 a.m. Mass at Our Lady Queen of Peace Church, 420 McKinley Ave. The event will last about 45 minutes.

Gilpin 

Today: A Red Cross community blood drive will be from noon 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

Jan. 22: Allegheny Valley HOPE Foundation will host a spaghetti dinner to benefit the Miller Family from noon to 6 p.m. at the new Acme Club, 230 Herron Ave. There will be a cash bar, basket auction, entertainment and a bake sale. Cost: $15; 12 and younger, $10. Proceeds will help with medical costs for cancer patient Vicki Miller and her husband Paul who needs a liver transplant.

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: The Diaper Pantry at Christ Our Hope Anglican Church, Harrison, 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.

Saturday: Natrona Heights Veterans of Foreign Wars will sponsor a chili cook-off at 6 p.m. at the post, 894 Veterans Lane, Harrison. Chili recipes will be tasted and voted on by participants and cash prizes will be awarded to the first-, second- and third-place winners. Entry fee: $10. Public welcome.

Kiski Township

Jan. 22: Boiling Springs Presbyterian Church, 1668 Route 56, is accepting orders for a soup sale. Varieties: chicken noodle, beef barley and stuffed pepper, $8 per quart. Paid order deadline: Sunday. Pickup: 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 22. Orders: 724-478-1523 or send your order with a check made out to the church to P.O. Box 154, Spring Church PA 15686.

Leechburg

Tuesday: Leechburg Public Library will host an afternoon at the movies for adults at 1 p.m. at the library, 139 Market St. The featured film will be, “Holiday Inn.” Free popcorn will be served.

Wednesday: Leechburg Museum is closed for the winter months. To arrange a private tour, email lamahs@windstream.net or call 724-845-8914 and leave a message.

Jan. 21: First Evangelical Lutheran Church, 358 Main St., will sponsor a chili cook-off from noon to 2 p.m. at the church. Prizes will be awarded for the spiciest, most unique and best all-around entries. Entry fee: $10. Menu: flight of four single servings, $8; bowl, $3; hot dog, $2; and drinks, $1. To enter, call Doreen Smeal at 724-448-4188 or visit servinggodgracefully.net/chili.

Lower Burrell

Saturday: The ClothesLine Ministry at Bethesda Lutheran Church, 3084 Leechburg Road, will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Clothing, shoes and purses will be 25 cents each or five for $1. The jewelry room will be closed.

Jan. 21: The Reading Rainbow: A Grown Up & Me Book Club at Peoples Library will meet at 1 p.m. at the library, 3052 Wachter Ave. Children and their caregivers welcome. The selection will be, “If You Give a Mouse A Cookie,” by Laura Numeroff. Details: 724-339-1021, ext. 12.

New Kensington

Today: Angel Wing Yoga & Fitness, 1003 Fifth Ave., will offer a yoga class and meditation in honor of Brackenridge Police Chief Justin McIntire at 6:30 p.m. Donations will be accepted at the door and will be given to his family.

Saturday: Peoples Library will host a family arts and crafts time at 1 p.m. at the library, 88 Barnes St. No reservations required. Details: 724-339-1021.

Sunday: St. Mary of Czestochowa Church, 857 Kenneth Ave., is accepting orders for a soup sale. Varieties: beef vegetable, broccoli cheddar and chicken noodle. Baked goods will also be sold. Cost: $10 per quart. Pickup: 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday in the church Friendship Hall. Orders: Laurie, 724-335-8022.

Parks

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.

Sharpsburg

Tuesday: The Allegheny Valley chapter of the Women’s Business Network will meet at 8 a.m. at 817 Main St. Those attending can learn how the group supports the success and growth of women in business. Reservations required. Reservations: Kelly Motter, 717-659-0323.

Springdale  

Jan. 19: Springdale Free Public Library will host a family fun night to celebrate National Popcorn Day at 6 p.m. at the library, 331 School St. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-274-9729.

Feb. 9: Springdale Free Public Library, 331 School St., will host an AARP Tax Assistance group for tax season. Appointments will be Thursdays and Saturdays Feb. 9 through April 13. Intake forms are available. Appointments required. Details: 724-274-9729.

Tarentum

Saturday and Sunday: First Baptist Church, 410 E. Third Ave., now offers two services each weekend. A praise and worship service will be at 3 p.m. Saturdays and a blended traditional and contemporary service at 10:30 a.m. Sundays.

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.

Jan. 22: The bingo fundraiser planned for cancer patient Kevin Coudriet is canceled. Details: Connie, 724-814-0180.

Vandergrift

Monday: An American Red Cross Blood community blood drive will be from noon to 5:30 p.m. in the banquet room of the Masons, 113 Washington Ave. All who come to donate will be entered for a chance to win a trip for two to Super Bowl LVII in Phoenix. Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are preferred. Appointments: 800-733-2767 or visit redcrossblood.org and use sponsor code Vandergrift.

Mondays: Vandergrift Public Library will host free a 10-week chess club for students in kindergarten through eighth grade at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 23 through March 27 at the library, 128C Washington Ave. Chess sets provided. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-568-2212.

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.

Jan. 22: A super bingo will be at 2 p.m. at Washington Township Volunteer Fire Company No. 1, 4078 Route 66. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. Cost: $35, in advance; $40 at the door if available; includes a dauber and one card for 12 $100 regular games, six $200 games, four $400 games and two $1,000 cover-all jackpot games. There will be food, beverages, instant tickets and a 50/50. Reserved seating available for groups of six or more. Players must be at least 18 years old or accompanied by an adult. Tickets: WTVFCWestmoreland on Facebook or at the regular Friday evening bingo.