The Stroller, July 28, 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.

Outdoor Discovery Center to host wilderness first aid, CPR classes

Wilderness First Aid and CPR classes will be offered at 8:30 a.m. Aug. 28 and 29 at the Outdoor Discovery Center at Crooked Creek, 142 Kerr Road, off Crooked Creek Dam Road.

Cost is $50 and includes both certifications through the Emergency Care & Safety Institute. Participants must be at least 14 years old and attendance at the entire program is required for certification. For information and to register, email Rich Muth at muthrich@gmail.com.

The Outdoor Discovery Center at Crooked Creek is a multi-use facility operated under the auspices of the Armstrong Center for Community Learning and is available year-round to organized groups and businesses for environmental education, workshops, meetings or retreats.

Free movie offered at Hartwood Acres

The free Allegheny County Movies in the Parks series will feature the film, “Madagascar” at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Hartwood Acres Amphitheater, Indiana Township.

The movie is rated PG. Gates open at 7 p.m. and the movie starts at dusk. Bring a blanket or a lawn chair.

Operation Gratitude to benefit troops, first responders

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

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.

Calendar

Apollo

Today: The Wheel Good Wednesday food truck event sponsored by the Apollo Events Committee and Apollo Area Historical Society will be from 5 to 8 p.m. at the old Stanford lot on Clifford Avenue. Food truck vendors who would like to participate at a future event should email apolloevents@gmail.com.

Today: Apollo Hose Co. No. 2 will host bingo at 7 p.m. at the firehall, 325 N. Fourth St. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Prize amounts have been raised and there will be a $1,000 must-go jackpot. Details: 724-478-4831

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

Aug. 14: St. James Church will host a vendor fair from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the parish center, 109 Owens View Ave. Tables: $20; without electricity, $15. Table reservations: Linda, 724-882-8776

Brackenridge

Today: Al-Anon will meet at 8 p.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church, 847 10^th 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.

Cheswick

Thursday: Cheswick Recreation Board will meet at 7 p.m. at Rachel Carson Park to plan Cheswick Day. New members welcome and encouraged to attend. Details: borough office, 724-274-5125

Freeport 

Thursday: Freeport’s Food Truckin’ will be from 4 to 8 p.m. in the parking lot of Laube Hall. Vendor fees are $25 for the first week and $50 for each additional week and will benefit Restore Freeport Community Park. Details: Jackie, 724-234-9373

Wednesdays and Saturdays: The Thrift Store Clothing Ministry at Freeport United Methodist Church, 211 Fourth St., is closed until further notice. Watch the Stroller for updates. Details: 724-295-3095

Gilpin

Thursday: Gilpin Volunteer Fire Department will host bingo at 7:15 p.m. at the firehall, 113 Firehall Road.

Harrison   

Today: The Agape Thrift Shop at Grace United Methodist Church, 1333 Freeport Road, will be open from 1 to 4 p.m. Masks required.

Today: 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.

Today: The free summer children’s playground program sponsored by Natrona Comes Together Association will present the Wild World of Live Animals at 12:30 p.m. at the Natrona pavilion, 10 River Ave. Details: Pat, 724-224-7599

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.

Kittanning

Thursday: Armstrong County Historical Museum, 300 N. McKean St., will be open for tours from 1 to 3 p.m. through Oct. 31. Free admission. Alternate hours available by appointment. Free parking is available behind the building via the North Grant Avenue entrance. Details: 724-548-5707

Leechburg 

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

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.

Aug. 7: The vendor show planned by the Leechburg Area Community Association is postponed until fall. Details: doreen.smeal@gmail.com

Aug. 10 to 12: Cross Roads Community Presbyterian Church, 271 Main St., will have vacation Bible school from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Aug. 10 and 11 at the church and 6 to 8 p.m. Aug. 12 at Leechburg Pool in Gilpin. Children ages 3 through those going into sixth grade welcome. Registration required. Registration: the VBS tab at crcpc.org or 724-845-1901

Lower Burrell

Aug. 28: The K9 Officer Derek Kotecki Baskets for the Blue basket raffle and vendor show is accepting items and gift certificates for the auction and raffle prizes. Details: visit the Events Calendar at officerderekkotecki.com or ODKBC27@gmail.com

New Kensington  

Thursday: Knead Community Café in New Kensington will hand out free grab-and-go dinners from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the café, 1011 Barnes St. This week’s meals are sponsored by The United Presbyterian Church of New Kensington. Those picking up meals are reminded to observe social distancing while waiting in line.

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 with new selections. Social distancing will be observed, and masks are required except when eating. Public welcome. Details: 724-448-7403

Friday: 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

Oct. 9: Tables reservations are being accepted for a craft and vendor show at East Ken Community Center, 1785 Seventh St. Cost: $10. Details: Marie, 724-472-5106

Plum

Thursday: Holiday Park Volunteer Fire Department will host bingo at the firehall, 415 Old Abers Creek Road. Doors open at 5 p.m. Face masks required. Details: holidayparkvfd.org/ under the weekly bingo tab.

Saxonburg

Today: Sponsor the Troops will host a community bike night from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Saxonburg Veterans of Foreign Wars, 572 W. Main St. Entertainment will be by Terry Lee Spencer and there will be food, a raffle and door prizes. Bring a chair or blanket if you come in a vehicle.

Tarentum

Today: The Tarentum Farmers Market will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the upper parking lot of First United Presbyterian Church, 913 Lock St.

Today: BridgePoint Church, 400 E. Ninth Ave., will offer Stop, Drop and Read for children from at the church. There will be free kids meals from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and storytime and crafts at 12:30 p.m. This will be the last session.

Today: 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

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/

Through Saturday: Vandergrift Public Library, 128C Washington Ave., is having a book sale during library hours. Cost: $3 per Giant Eagle-sized bag available at the library. DVDs, audio books and puzzles available separately.

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

Friday: Washington Township Volunteer Fire Company will have Friday Night 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.

West Deer 

Aug. 12: Orders are being accepted for a hoagie sale to benefit the West Deer Dog Shelter. Varieties: turkey, Italian and vegetarian, $9. Order due date: Thursday. Pick-up: 5 to 7 p.m. Aug. 12 at the West Deer Township building, 109 East Union Road. Orders: marleenmeyer2020@gmail.com or text 412-709-0978