The Stroller, Jan. 14, 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.

Concordia speakers bureau offers free presentations

The Concordia Lutheran Ministries Speakers Bureau has senior-care professionals available to speak to organizations and community groups free of charge.

Topics available include fall prevention, chronic disease management, senior nutrition, senior living, advance directives, end of life decision making, health and wellness, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease education, nutrition for a healthy lifestyle and more. A full list of topics is available.

For details, contact Cheryl Aughton at 724-487-4656 or caughton@concordialm.org.

Monthly Breaking Bread dinner planned at Knead Community Cafe

Knead Community Cafe, 1011 Barnes St., New Kensington, will host its free monthly dine-in Breaking Bread dinner at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at the cafe.

The café is accepting sponsorships for its Grab and Go community outreach meals. Meals can be sponsored in honor or in memory of someone or to celebrate a business or organization. For information and to sign up, visit kneadcommunitycafe.org/meal-sponsorships.

For more information, call 878-847-7997.

Calendar

Apollo

Wednesday: 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. There will be specials and wish jars. Details: 724-478-4831.

Thursday: Apollo Memorial Library will offer an hour of non-structured playtime for preschoolers from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the library, 219 N. Pennsylvania Ave. No reservations required. Details: 724-478-4831.

Thursday: The new Embroidery Club at Apollo Memorial Library will meet from 6 to 8 p.m. at the library, 219 N. Pennsylvania Ave. Bring a project and a friend. Details: 724-478-4214.

Arnold

Friday: St. Vladimir Church, 1610 Kenneth Ave., is accepting orders for its pierogi sale. Varieties: potato or sauerkraut, $14 per dozen. Pickup: 12:30 to 4 p.m. Fridays in the church social hall. Cost: $16 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: Bingo will be at 7:15 p.m. at the American Legion, 845 First Ave. Details: 724-994-6030.

Freeport

Wednesdays: The Blessing Closet 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 p.m. at the firehall, 113 Firehall Road.

Harrison

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. 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.

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: adult tops and bottoms, 50 cents; children’s clothing, 25 cents. Please bring small bills and your own bags. Donations welcome during these hours. Everyone welcome.

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.

Leechburg

Thursday: The free genealogy group at Leechburg Area Museum and Historical Society will meet from 10 a.m. to noon at the museum, 118 First St. The group will now meet on the second and third Thursdays of each month. Basic computer skills required. Details: Judy, wrighton154@yahoo.com.

Lower Burrell 

Wednesday: Peoples Library will offer a free online talk at 7 p.m. with author T.J. Klune who will discuss his Cerulean Chronicles series at the library, 3052 Wachter St. Recordings will be available to watch on demand. Registration required. Registration: libraryc.org/peopleslibrary.

Thursday: The Chess Club at Peoples Library will meet at 4 p.m. at the library, 3052 Wachter St. Players age 8 to 18 of all skill levels welcome. Details: 724-339-1021.

New Kensington

Wednesday: Peoples Library, 880 Barnes St., will offer Puzzles for Grownups at 1 p.m. Details: 724-339-1021. 

Thursday: Peoples Library, 880 Barnes St., will offer a knitting for beginners class at noon. Details: 724-339-1021.

Thursday and Saturday: The Community Clothes Closet, 1129 Kenneth Ave., will be open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Items available include clothing for all members of the family, shoes, linens, purses and handbags. Household items, dishes, appliances and books will no longer be accepted. Donations welcome during business hours only. Do not leave donations at the door.

North Apollo

Jan. 23: A Red Cross community blood drive will be from noon to 5 p.m. at First Church of God, 507 20^th St. Appointments: 800-733-2767 or visit redcrossblood.org and search with ZIP code 15673.

Parks Township

Thursday: Parks Township Sportsman Club Association will meet at 7:30 p.m. at the club, 1111 Shipman Road. New members welcome.

Tarentum

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 by 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.

Washington Township

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

Wednesday: A veterans service officer will be available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the office of state Rep. Jill Cooper, 105 Pfeffer Road, suite 5. Services available will include disability and pension claims, benefit questions, assisting spouses with survivor benefits issues and applications for veterans grants. Appointments will be accepted, but walk-ins are welcome. Appointments: 724-387-9113.

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 in sizes preemie through 10/12 will be available, as well as strollers, car seats, toys and more. No reservations required. Details: 724-524-1809 or tinyurl.com/mw9kd9cp.