The Stroller, July 16, 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.

Free concert to feature Miss Freddye’s Homecookin’ Band

Highpointe at Rebecca will present Miss Freddye’s Homecookin’ Band in concert at 3:30 p.m. Friday in the facility’s outdoor courtyard, 1871 Highpointe Lane, West Deer.

In case of inclement weather, the free concert will be inside. Tours of the facility will be available and refreshments will be served. Reservations are preferred, but walk-ins are welcome.

For reservations, call Julie Spirnock at 724-444-1521.

Gathering on Grant planned Friday

The monthly Gathering On Grant event will celebrate the 130^th anniversary of Vandergrift Borough from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday on Grant Avenue.

Entertainment will be by Acoustic Trix and Mark Anderson and there will be food and vendors.

Calendar

Apollo

Today: 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.

Saturday : St. James Parish will have a flea market from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the upper level of the parish activity center, 109 Owens View Drive. Details: Linda, 724-882-8776.

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

Apollo/East Vandergrift

Aug. 13: Our Lady, Queen of Peace and St. James parishes are accepting reservations for a bus trip to Rivers Casino, Pittsburgh. Cost: $30, includes $20 in free play. The bus will leave at 9 a.m. from St. James Church parking lot in Apollo. State-issued photo ID required for free play. Reservations: 724-478-4958.

Brackenridge

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

Cheswick

Today: A veterans service officer will be available by appointment at the office of Rep. Mandy Steele, 1296 Pittsburgh St. Services available include state benefits, burial and survivor benefits, enrollment in the VA health care system and more. Reservations: 724-826-5151.

Freeport

Today: 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.

Harmar

Thursday: The free Thunder Thursdays Summer Music Series will feature the Shelley Duff Band at 7 p.m. the Syria Shrine Center, 1877 Shriners Way, 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 permitted. Sponsored by Miller Lite, Band Together Pittsburgh, Moondog’s and the Pittsburgh Shrine Center.

Harrison  

Today: 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.

Today: The free summer children’s playground program sponsored by Natrona Comes Together Association will feature an art program at noon at the Natrona pavilion, 10 River Ave. Details: natronacomestogetherassociation.org.

Today: The free summer children’s playground program sponsored by Natrona Comes Together Association will feature a cooking program, “Be a Chef,” at noon at the Natrona pavilion, 10 River Ave. Details: natronacomestogetherassociation.org.

Today: 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.

Today: 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.

Thursday: Friends of Harrison Hills Park will meet at 6 p.m. at the park Environmental Center, Freeport Road. Public welcome.

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.

Indiana Township

July 22: Allegheny County Park Rangers will present a free guided walk about the sculpture garden at Hartwood Acres Mansion at 6 p.m. Meet at the mansion overflow parking lot, 200 Hartwood Acres. Reservations required. Reservations: tinyurl.com/26ft625n.

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 meets on the first and third Thursday of each month. Bring a laptop or tablet. Basic computer skills required. Details: Judy, 724-681-9154.

Lower Burrell

Thursday: Peoples Library will host an online talk watch party with author Marie Lu at 4 p.m. at the library, 3052 Wachter Ave. Join the group at the library in person or watch online at home. Suited for children in ninth through 12^th grade, but everyone is welcome. Registration required to watch on demand or join the group online. Registration: libraryc.org/peopleslibrary. Details: 724-339-1021.

Through Sunday: 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.

July 22: The American Legion will host a Vitalant community blood drive from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the post, 1100 Wildlife Lodge Road. Appointments recommended. Appointments: 800-877-2584 or visit Vitalant.org and search for account code UC0180045.

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.

Middlesex Township

Friday: Good Samaritan Hospice, a mission of Concordia Lutheran Ministries, will sponsor a free virtual bereavement program at 4 p.m. for anyone who is grieving the loss of a child. Reservations are requested by Tuesday. A Zoom link will be emailed. Reservations: 800-720-2557 or events page at concordialm.org.

Monroeville

Thursday through Saturday: The Quilt Company East Quilt Guild will host a quilt show from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday and Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Christ the Divine Shepherd Parish, 245 Azalea Drive. Admission: $10. Details: quiltcoeast.org.

New Kensington 

Today: Peoples Library, 880 Barnes St., will have a children’s program, “Chem in a Flash,” with Mad Science of Pittsburgh at 1 p.m. at the library. Details: 724-339-1021.

Thursday: Knead Community Cafe, 1011 Barnes St., New Kensington, will host its free monthly dine-in Breaking Bread dinner at 5:30 p.m. at the cafe. The meal will be sponsored by Realty Development Solutions. No takeout meals will be available. Details: 878-847-7997.

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.

Friday: 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. Food will be available. Sponsored by Rep. Jill Cooper.

Friday: Knead Community Café will host a free outdoor summer movie night in the café courtyard, 1011 Barnes St. The featured film will be, “The Garfield Movie.” The Fifth Avenue gate will open at 7:15 p.m. In case of inclement weather, the event will be in the banquet hall.

July 23: St. George Orthodox Church is accepting orders for a meat pie sale. Cost: single, $6; half dozen, $36; dozen, $72. Pick up: noon to 1:30 p.m. in the church hall, 1150 Leishman Ave. Order deadline: July 21. Orders: 724-335-9988 or tinyurl.com/6wd7mdjk.

Parks Township 

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

Fridays: Free bread and baked goods will be distributed at 10 a.m. while supplies last at Highlands Family Center, 415 E. Fourth Ave., suite 12. Details: 724-224-9006.

Tarentum 

Thursday : Nick Chevrolet, 22 W. Seventh Ave., will host a Vitalant community blood drive from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Appointments recommended. Appointments: Sharon, 412-600-4333 or Vitalant.org.

Today: The Tarentum farmers market will open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the upper parking lot of First United Presbyterian Church, Lock Street. Vendor information: office@fupct.org.

Today: 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.

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

Thursday: The borough farmers market will be open from 4 to 6:30 p.m. in the parking lot across the street from the Casino Theater. Details: visit vandergriftfarmersmarket on Facebook.

Washington Township

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

Today: 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.

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. The kitchen will open and card sales start at 6 p.m. Free coffee. Players must be at least 18 or accompanied by an adult.

West Deer

July 26: Join Allegheny County Park Rangers for a day of habitat restoration from 9 a.m. to noon at Deer Lakes Park. Meet at 9 a.m. at the Veterans I shelter. Volunteers will use hand tools to remove invasive species and may plant native species. Expect to participate in physical activity. No experience is necessary. Tools, gloves and eye protection will be provided. Bring water, wear long pants and closed-toe shoes. Registration requested. Registration: tinyurl.com/mtfej4rf.

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.