The Stroller, July 2, 2021: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley

Publicize your club meetings, community events 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.

Operation Gratitude to benefit troops, first responders

The fourth annual Operation Gratitude Collection drive will take place through July 31.

The public is welcome to write a letter, make a thank you card or color a picture that will be sent in a care package. Creations will be sent to be distributed by Operation Gratitude in California to new recruits, first responders, troops, and veterans and their caregivers.

Collection bins are located at Citizens Bank in Giant Eagle, Amsler Automotive and King’s Family Restaurant, all in Allegheny Township.

To make a monetary donation to cover the cost of 30 care packages, visit Giving.OperationGratitude.com/2021SummerCollectionDrive.

For more information, email BrittanyMarie147@gmail.com.

Acts needed for Casino Theatre talent show

The Casino Theatre in Vandergrift will host a talent show from 4 to 8 p.m. Aug. 1 at the theater.

Dancers, singers, comedians, bands and other family-friendly acts are welcome to sign up. Auditions may be held depending on the response received.

For an application, visit casinotheater.org. Application deadline is July 10. Proceeds from the show will benefit the theatre restoration fund.

Free children’s meal distribution continues in Tarentum

Central Presbyterian Church, Tarentum, is distributing free grab-and-go breakfasts and lunches to children 18 and younger from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. weekdays at the church, 305 Allegheny St.

The program will continue through Aug 6 and is sponsored by the United Methodist Church Union and the Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank. There are no eligibility requirements.

For details, call Central Church at 724-224-9220.

Youth tennis clinic planned in New Kensington

The City of New Kensington Recreation Commission will sponsor youth tennis clinics July 26 to 29 at the Valley High School tennis courts, Stevenson Blvd.

Tennis coach and official Rachael E. Link will be the director. The schedule is:

• 9 to 10 a.m., kindergarten through third grade

• 10 to 11 a.m., fourth and fifth grade

• 11 a.m. to noon, sixth through eighth grade.

Cost is $40. The clinic will follow current CDC and Pa. Department of Health guidelines. To register, call city hall at 724-337-4523. For questions, email morgan.oberlin@ymail.com.

Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra to play free concert at Hartwood Acres

The Allegheny County Summer Concert Series at Hartwood Acres Park Amphitheater, Indiana Township, will feature a free performance of patriotic music by the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra at 8:15 p.m. Sunday.

Food trucks will open at 6 p.m. Rain or shine.

Tarentum concert rescheduled

The concert planned Thursday in Tarentum’s Riverview Memorial Park featuring the Murphy’s Music Center Band was canceled because of the inclement weather.

The concert is rescheduled to be at 7 p.m. July 8. The Snack Shack will open at 6 p.m.

Reunions

• Har-Brack High School Class of 1966 will have a reunion Aug. 26 at Harrison Hills Park, Harrison, and Aug. 27 at the Natrona Heights Veterans of Foreign Wars. Classmates who need information should call Mike at 724-224-5462

• Highlands High School Class of 1971 will have a reunion Aug. 20 and 21 at the Comfort Inn, RIDC Park, O’Hara. An ice breaker event will be at 6 p.m. Aug. 20 in the hotel Route 28 Bar and Grille. The reunion will be from 6 to 11 p.m. Aug. 21. Cost: $60 per person, includes a DJ, served buffet, two drink tickets and cake. Reservations required by July 30. Details: Dot, 724-244-6164; Justine, 724-448-5835 or highlands71.com

Calendar

Apollo

Sunday: St. James Parish is selling raffle tickets to win a propane grill, metal fire pit and gift cards to Naser Foods, Held’s Shop n Save and Rukas Beverage. Cost: $10 for two numbers. Tickets: Linda, 724-882-8776, in the church vestibule after Masses and in the parish office

July 10: Table reservations are being accepted for a vendor fair planned 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; without electricity, $15. Reservations: Linda, 724-882-8776

Aug. 2 to 6: Bible Presbyterian Church, 214 Railroad Ave., will host vacation Bible school from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at the church for children in kindergarten through sixth grade. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-478-3556 or 724-697-4148

Arnold

Saturday: Arnold United Methodist Church, 1801 Leishman Ave., will host an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast from 8 a.m. to noon at the church. Menu: choice of plain, blueberry, pecan and chocolate chip pancakes or french toast, sausage and drink. Dine in or take out. Cost: $7.50; 12 and younger, $5. Details: 724-339-2377

Freeport 

Saturday: The Thrift Store Clothing Ministry at Freeport United Methodist Church, 211 Fourth St., will be open from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday and noon to 3 p.m. Wednesday. Cash only. Donations must be laundered and free from pet hair. Details: 724-295-3095

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.

Wednesday: Community Library of Allegheny Valley will sponsor a free performance of the children’s play, “The Rainbow Colored Fish,” by Stage Right at 6:30 p.m. online on Zoom.us. Registration required for access information. Registration: Alleghenyvalleylibrary.org

Kiski Township

Saturdays: Kiski Township Volunteer Fire Department will have a flea market and craft show from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the firehall parking lot, 1037 Route 56. Vendor spaces available. Cost: $10 per space per week, benefits the fire department. Details: 724-681-2023

Kittanning

July 8: A Seniors for Safe Driving class will be from noon to 4 p.m. at the Covenant Center at First United Methodist Church, 301 N. Jefferson St. The class PennDOT approved and for drivers who are at least 55 years old. Safe drivers can receive a 5 percent discount on auto insurance for three years. Details and registration: 724-283-8845 or seniorsforsafedriving.com

Leechburg 

Saturday: Leechburg Area Museum, 118 First St., will be open from noon to 3 p.m. Details: lamahs@windstream.net

Today: Leechburg Volunteer Fire Company will host a fish fry from 3 to 7 p.m. at the firehall, 268 Canal St. Menu: baked or fried fish dinners, shrimp dinners, chicken strips, macaroni and cheese, fries and coleslaw. Orders: 724-842-3141 or 724-845-1684

Aug. 7: Vendor applications are being accepted by Leechburg Area Community Association for an event planned for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the gazebo at Leechburg Riverfront Park. Cost: $30 per 10 x 10-foot table. Reservations: leave a message for Doreen, 724-448-4188

Lower Burrell

Saturday: The Lower Burrell Farmers Market will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the municipal building, 2800 Schreiber St. Lower Burrell Lions will sell brooms.

July 10: Space reservations are being accepted for a parking lot treasures sale set for 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Church of God, 273 Chester Drive. Cost: $5 per spot. Reservations: 724-335-4422 or lbcog@hotmail.com

New Kensington 

Today: The River Community Church, New Kensington, will host a farmers market from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the church, 200 Freeport Road. Vendor applications are being accepted for future markets. Details: Nicky, 724-337-4837 or admin@goriverchurch.com

Saturday and Monday: The Community Clothes Closet will be closed for the Independence Day holiday. Normal hours will resume next week.

July 10: Peoples Library will present, “Walloping Weather,” with Mad Science at 1 p.m. in the courtyard behind the library, 880 Barnes St. Children 12 and younger can explore why it rains, what causes lightning and how weather is predicted. Reservations required. Reservations: peopleslibrary.org

July 10: A cornhole tournament to benefit Highlands Youth Wrestling will begin at noon at the Eagles, 2134 Freeport Road. Check-in will be at 11 a.m. There will be cash prizes, a silent auction and 50/50 raffle. Entry fee: $50 per team. Registration: J. B. Orris, 813-753-7155 or Caitlin Williard, 724-448-8867

Parks

Sunday: Parks Township Sportsman’s Club will host a Music Night from 6:30 to 10 p.m. at the club, 1111 Shipman Road. Bring your favorite stringed instrument and sing along. Refreshments available. Members and guests welcome. Details: 724-845-2390

Springdale   

July 19: The Geraldine Yanni Summer Science Club for children in third through sixth grade at Springdale Free Public Library will meet at 6 p.m. at the library, 331 School St. The theme for each night will be STEM. Space is limited. Registration required. Registration: 724-274-9729

Tarentum

Saturday: The Eagles will host a holiday barbeque from 2 to 8 p.m. in the aerie parking lot, 204 Wood St. Menu: half chicken with a baked potato, $12; or a half-pound burger with fries, $10, both with coleslaw. Dine in or takeout. Public welcome. Details: 724-224-9961

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: 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.

Upper Burrell

Saturday: Manchester Reformed Presbyterian Church, 204 Manchester Hill Road, will have an indoor flea market from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the church. Proceeds will benefit the church Mercy Fund that helps those in need.

Vandergrift

Thursday: The Farmers Market will be open from 4 to 6:30 p.m. in the Columbia Avenue parking lot. Details: vandergriftfarmersmarket.weebly.com/

July 10: A kids vendor show to benefit children’s cancer research will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at The Center on Franklin Ave., 262 Franklin Ave. This is an event by kids, for kids to support kids. Vendors may offer any kind of kid-friendly merchandise. Cost: $40; children vendors, $20. Applications: TheCenteronFranklin@gmail.com

Aug. 31: Vandergrift Public Library is raffling a patriotic quilt made and donated by library patron Jane Strohm to benefit the library. Cost: $1 each or $5 for an arm’s length. The drawing will be Aug. 31. Tickets: stop in at the library, 128C Washington Ave. Details: 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.