The Stroller, July 1, 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.

Summer concert series to feature the Lenny Collini Family Pak

The free Thunder Thursdays Summer Music Series will feature the Lenny Collini Family Pak at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Syria Shrine Center, 1877 Shriners Way, Harmar, rain or shine.

Gates open at 6 p.m. There is free parking and food and beverages will be sold. No tailgating or outside food or drinks are permitted. The series is sponsored by Miller Lite, Band Together Pittsburgh, Moondog’s and the Pittsburgh Shrine Center.

Pet food, supplies needed at Animal Protectors

Animal Protectors of Allegheny Valley is accepting donations of pet food and supplies for its community pantry in New Kensington.

Donations can be dropped off from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. any day at the rear entrance of the shelter, 730 Church St.

By providing dog and cat food to families in need in our community, the shelter helps to keep pets out of the shelter. To view online wish lists, visit Chewy at this link tinyurl.com/54s6mynf or Amazon at tinyurl.com/33mj24wk.

Calendar

Allegheny Township

Thursday: The Kiski Valley region of the Antique Car Club of America will host a cruise-in from 5 to 8 p.m. at Arby’s, 16 Towne Center Drive. Details: 724-568-3330 or carcruises.com.

Apollo

Thursday: Apollo Area Historical Society will meet at 6:30 p.m. in the WCTU Building, 317 N. Second St. New members welcome.

Friday : St. James Parish is selling tickets for a Fire Quacker July 4 lottery ticket raffle. The winner will receive a complete roll of $5, $10 and $20 Pennsylvania Lottery scratch-off tickets. The winning number will be the 7 p.m. July 4 Daily Pick 3 number. Cost: $10, includes two numbers. Tickets: Linda, 724-882-8776 or at the parish office.

July 26: Roaring Run Watershed Association is accepting reservations for a craft and vendor fair planned at 698 Canal Road. Details: 724-244-3135.

Brackenridge

Thursday: Bingo at the American Legion is canceled for the holiday. Details: 724-994-6030.

Thursday: The Allegheny Valley Salvation Army and Community Center in Brackenridge will hand out free grab-and-go lunches from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the center parking lot, 917 Brackenridge Ave. Free grocery items from Walmart and Aldi will be available. Everyone is welcome.

Buffalo Township 

Saturday : The Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania will offer a free program, “Summer Nights and Fireflies,” at 8 p.m. at Buffalo Creek Nature Park, 154 Monroe Road. Learn about our state insect and how to count fireflies in your own backyard. Reservations required. Reservations: aswp.org.

Cadogan

Today: The township farmers market will be open from 3 to 6 p.m. at Overlook Park. Details: Jeanne Richardson, 724-815-7347.

Gilpin

Thursday: Gilpin Volunteer Fire Department will host bingo at 7 p.m. at the firehall, 113 Firehall Road.

Hampton

July 11: A free guided hike with park rangers, “Fascinating Fireflies,” will be from 8:30 to 10:30 p.m. at Hartwood Acres Park. Meet at the Middle Road parking lot. Flashlights will be provided. Bring water and wear closed-toe shoes. Reservations required. Reservations: tinyurl.com/445n9s8v.

Harrison   

Today: The free summer children’s playground program sponsored by Natrona Comes Together Association will offer a tour of an ambulance at noon at the Natrona pavilion, 10 River Ave. A free lunch is served by Faith Community Partners from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. weekdays for children 18 and younger. Details: natronacomestogetherassociation.org.

Today: The Accordion Club will meet from 1 to 3 p.m. at 6003 Freeport Road. Details: 724-236-0665.

Today: A Colorful Tales Family Story Time will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesdays at through July 29 at the library, 1522 Broadview Blvd.

Wednesday: The free summer children’s playground program sponsored by Natrona Comes Together Association will feature an art program with Community Library of Allegheny Valley at noon at the Natrona pavilion, 10 River Ave. Details: natronacomestogetherassociation.org.

Thursday: The free summer children’s playground program sponsored by Natrona Comes Together Association will feature a science program, “Atmosphere and Beyond,” with Mad Science of Pittsburgh at noon at the Natrona pavilion, 10 River Ave. Details: natronacomestogetherassociation.org.

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   

July 12: The Shawn Deslauriers Memorial Bocce Tournament will begin at noon at the 135 Marconi Club, River Avenue. A lunch fundraiser will be served from 1 to 4 p.m. Lunch tickets: $30, includes food and beer. There will be door prizes, baskets and a 50-50. Lunch ticket deadline: Thursday. Tickets: Dan Swartz,724-822-2835 or danno6699@gmail.com.

Details: Dan Swartz, 724-822-2835 or danno6699@gmail.com.

Lower Burrell

July 9: A workshop to make greeting cards, “Cards in the Round,” will be at 6:30 p.m. at St. Margaret Mary Church, 3055 Leechburg Road. Anyone who is at least 10 years old is welcome. Cost: $20, includes 5 pre-cut cards. Proceeds will benefit the New Kensington/Lower Burrell Catholic Community Youth Group trip to the National Catholic Youth Conference in Indianapolis in November. Reservations required by Tuesday. Reservations: text or call Lorraine Menk, 412-965-5815 or kirbie1@comcast.net.

July 12: The flea market planned by theWomen of the Moose is canceled.

Through July 20: The works of Allegheny Valley League of Artists members Eileen Kopelman and Patti Giordano will be on exhibit during operating hours at Peoples Library, 3052 Wachter Ave.

Aug. 3: The Dog Gone? Search, Trap and Rescue group is seeking food and craft vendors for the Rallying for Rescues event planned from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Kotecki Park. Proceeds will benefit local animal rescues. Details: call or text 724-309-8284.

Lower Burrell/New Kensington

Wednesday: Peoples Library will have a virtual cartooning program, “Let’s Draw Impossible Animals,” with award-winning illustrator and nationally syndicated cartoonist Rick Stromoski at 1 p.m. at both locations. Details: 724-339-1021.

Thursday: The children’s chess club at Peoples Library will meet at 4 p.m. at the library, 3052 Wachter Ave. Players age 8 to 18 welcome. Details: 724-339-1021.

New Kensington 

Wednesday: A veterans service officer will be available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the office of state Rep. Jill Cooper, 356 Freeport St., suite 100. 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: 724-472-4102.

Thursday: The Knitting Group at Peoples Library will meet at noon at the library, 880 Barnes. St. All skill levels welcome. Details: 724-339-1021.

Thursday: Knead Community Café, 1011 Barnes St., will hand out free grab-and-go meals from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the café. This week’s meals are sponsored in memory of Frank Sieradski. Details: 878-847-7997 or kneadcommunitycafe.org.

Thursday: New Kensington Eagles Auxiliary Bingo will be at 7 p.m. at the aerie, 2134 Freeport Road. Doors open at 5 p.m. Sales are from 6 to 6:50 p.m. Cost: $25 for a 12-on package; specials will be available. The kitchen will be open. Public welcome. Details: 724-448-7403.

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. Donations welcome during business hours only. Do not leave donations at the door.

July 10: An American Red Cross community blood drive will be from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Westmoreland County Community College, 1150 Fifth Ave. Appointments: 800-733-2767 or visit redcrossblood.org.

July 18: A free community health, wellness and career fair will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Knead Community Café, 1011 Barnes St. Sponsored by Pa. Rep. Jill Cooper. Organizations wishing to participate as an exhibitor should call 724-472-4102.

Oakmont

Today: Taking Pounds Off Sensibly (TOPS) meets at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 1261 Pennsylvania Ave. Private weigh-ins will be from 5:45 to 6:10 p.m. and the meeting will be afterward. The first meeting is free. Details: 412-828-3854 or jmjkwj@gmail.com.

Plum 

Today: The Plum Food Pantry, 81 Sandune Drive, distributes free food from 4:30 to 6 p.m. the first three Tuesdays of each month. Recipients in need must stop in at the pantry to be confirmed/verified. Details: 724-327-0367.

Saxonburg

July 9: South Butler Community Library will host a free self-care workshop for adults and teens at 6:30 p.m. May 7 at the library, 240 W. Main St. This month’s topic will be essential oils. Reservations are encouraged, but walk-ins are welcome. Reservations: 724-352-4810 or director@southbutlerlibrary.org.

Springdale 

July 9: Springdale Free Public Library, 331 School St., will offer a crochet class at 6 p.m. Note the time change. The group will meet the second and fourth Wednesday of each month. The first class will be about basic stitches. Bring a hook and some yarn. All ages welcome. Reservations: 724-274-9729.

Tarentum   

Today: Alcoholics Anonymous will meet from 7 to 8 p.m. at Central Presbyterian Church, 305 Allegheny St.

Today: Community Library of Allegheny Valley will sponsor Color Splash Story Time in the Park at noon near the water park in Tarentum’s Memorial Park, First Avenue. Details: alleghenyvalleylibrary.org.

Upper Burrell

Aug. 24: Skyview Radio Society is accepting space reservations for its swap ‘n shop set for 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the club grounds, 2335 Turkey Ridge Road. Bring your own table. Cost: $5. Reservations: John Italiano, 724-339-3821.

Vandergrift

July 1 to 31: Vandergrift Public Library will host summer reading program, “Color Our World” at the library, 128C Washington Ave. There will be activities, programs and more. Registration required. Registration: 724-568-2212.

West Deer  

Sunday : A free guided hike with park rangers, “Fascinating Fireflies,” will be from 8:30 to 10:30 p.m. at Deer Lakes Park. Meet at the Pike Shelter. Flashlights will be provided. Bring water and wear closed toe shoes. Reservations required. Reservations: tinyurl.com/4ku5pmrm.

July 11: A movies in the park night will be at 8:15 p.m. in the Bairdford Park pavilion. Reservations required by July 9. Sponsored by the township parks and recreation department. Reservations: parksandrecreation@westdeertownship.com.

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.