The Stroller, Jan. 4, 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.

Community blood drive planned in Gilpin

A Red Cross community blood drive will be from noon to 5:30 p.m. Jan. 14 at Gilpin Volunteer Firemen’s social hall, 113 Fire Hall Road.

For an appointment, call 800-733-2767 or visit redcrossblood.org and use sponsor code GTVFD.

Salvation Army free lunch distribution offered Thursday

The Allegheny Valley Salvation Army and Community Center in Brackenridge offers free grab and go lunches from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursdays in parking lot at the center, 917 Brackenridge Ave.

Everyone is welcome.

Calendar

Apollo

Saturday: 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.

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

Butler County

Thursday: The National Alliance on Mental Illness of Butler County will offer a free online support group at 7 p.m. at Zoom.us for families and friends of those living with a mental illness. The group meets the at 7 p.m. the first Thursday of each month. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-431-0069 or info@namibutler.org. Participants must confirm attendance by 3 p.m. the day of the meeting to receive a link to participate.

Freeport

Wednesday: 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.

Thursday: Freeport Renaissance Association will meet at 7 p.m. at 1833 Coffee and Tea Co., 300 Fifth St. New members welcome.

Harrison

Wednesday: 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.

Wednesday: 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 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.

Saturday: 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

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.

Leechburg

Wednesday: Leechburg Public Library, 139 Market St., offers a free Senior Stretch chair class at 10:30 a.m. Details: 724-236-0080.

Thursday: The free genealogy group at Leechburg Area Museum and Historical Society will meet from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the museum, 118 First St. Basic computer skills and face masks required. Ancestry.com and Newspaper.com are available. Details: Judy, 724-681-9154.

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.

New Kensington

Today: A presentation by Caring Hospice Services will be at 11:45 a.m. at the New Kensington Senior Center, 1039 Third Ave. Details: 724-335-8597.

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.

Springdale

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.

Pittsburgh

Today: The Allegheny Valley chapter of the Women’s Business Network will meet at 8 a.m. at Panera Bread, Waterworks Mall, 942 Freeport Road. Those attending can learn how the group supports the success and growth of women in business. Reservations required. Reservations: Susan Kinger, 412-782-4848.

Springdale

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.

Tarentum

Wednesday: 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: The YoYos Needles Art group at Vandergrift Public Library will meet from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in the library reading room, 128C. Washington Ave. Please note the new date and time. All skill levels welcome. No reservations required. Details: 724-568-2212.

Jan. 12: 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.