The Stroller, July 29, 2022: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley

Publicize your community events, fundraisers and club meetings for free in The Stroller. Send information at least a week in advance to vndnews@triblive.com or The Stroller, 210 Wood St., Tarentum PA 15068. Please include a daytime telephone number.

Vandergrift Artfest set Sunday

The annual Vandergrift Artfest will be from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday on Grant Avenue in the borough.

The theme will be “Wonderland.” There will be over 100 artists and crafters, two indoor locations, food trucks, a basket raffle and children’s activities. Entertainment on the main stage will include Aubrey Burchell, Nick Graham, Miss Freddye’s Homecookin’ Band, the Band G-6, the 56 East Band, Brachtopus, Julie and the 2^nd Offenders and Lenny Collini 4PaK. A second acoustic stage will be located at the corner of Grand and Columbia avenues.

Byers Busing Company will provide free shuttle service from the lower area of Big Lots parking lot in Allegheny Township to PNC Bank in Vandergrift.

Proceeds will benefit Vandergrift Improvement Program and the preservation and restoration of the landmark JC Penney building. For more details and an entertainment schedule, visit Vandergrift Artfest on Facebook.

Vandergrift car cruise to benefit veterans and local charities

Vandergrift Lions and Westmoreland County Marine Corps Detachment will host a car cruise from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday in Kennedy Park on Jackson Avenue, Vandergrift.

Vehicle fee is $10 and proceeds will benefit local charities and veterans in need. There will be a silent auction, food and a 50/50 raffle. For details, contact Robb Yasczak at 412-289-9519 or email yasczak@gmail.com.

Summer festival on tap at Concordia Lutheran Ministries

The 141st annual Concordia Lutheran Ministries Summer Festival will be from 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. Sunday in the Lund Care Center backyard, 134 Marwood Road, Jefferson.

The event is open to the public and admission and parking are free. The Mikey Dee Band will be featured from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. and there will be a car cruise, picnic-themed food, activities and a fishing derby for children 12 and younger. Concordia chaplain the Rev. Duane Voorman will be the featured speaker at 4 p.m. worship service.

Haven Apartment tours will be from 1 to 3 p.m. For details, call 724-352-1571, ext. 8268, or visit the events page at concordialm.org.

Calendar

Apollo

Tuesday : The Rather Be Reading Book Club for adults at Apollo Memorial Library will meet at 6 p.m. at the library, 219 N. Pennsylvania Ave. Details and membership information: tinyurl.com/yc8c335t.

Aug. 9: The Teen Book Club at Apollo Memorial Library will meet at 5 p.m. at the library, 219 N. Pennsylvania Ave. Students age 13 to 18 welcome. Copies of the book are free while supplies last. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-478-4214.

Aug. 11: St. James Parish is selling tickets for a Full Moon $2,500 cash raffle. Cost: $10, includes two 3-digit numbers. The winning number will be the 7 p.m. Aug. 11 Pa. Lottery Pick-3 number. Tickets: Linda, 724-882-8776, after Mass in the church vestibule and at the parish office.

Bethel

Saturday: The Outdoor Discovery Center at Crooked Creek will offer a workshop with the Traveling Greenhouse to make a macrame air plant pod at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. at the center, 142 Kerr Road. Choose either session. Cost: $25, includes all materials, air plant, care instructions and a misting bottle. Reservations required. Reservations: tinyurl.com/3j2efz5m.

Aug. 6: The Outdoor Discovery Center at Crooked Creek, 142 Kerr Road, will offer a nature writing workshop from 10 a.m. to noon at the center. Author and Pennsylvania Master Naturalist trainee Sandra Stanko will be the instructor. Cost: $8. Must be at least 13 years old to attend. No experience necessary. Reservations required. Reservations: armstrongcenter.org/odc-events.

Aug. 9: The Armstrong Nature Book Club will meet at 7 p.m. at the Outdoor Discovery Center at Crooked Creek, 142 Kerr Road. The selection will be, “H is for Hawk,” by Helen McDonald. Reservations and masks required. Reservations and details: armstrongcenter.org/odc-events.

Aug. 27: Summer’s Last Fling, a fundraiser for the Outdoor Discovery Center at Crooked Creek, will be from 6 to 9 p.m. at the center, 142 Kerr Road. There will be music by the 7 Mile Run Band, a rock-climbing wall, food, drinks, raffles, silent auction and nature activities for the whole family. Admission: $20; children, $12. Tickets: tinyurl.com/bdf4jj5k.

Brackenridge

Aug. 6: A drag queen bingo to benefit cancer patient Kevin Coudriet will be at 4 p.m. Aug. 6 at the Brackenridge American Legion, 845 First Ave. Doors open at 2 p.m. Cost: $35, includes food. Extra packages and daubers will be sold and there will be a cash bar, refreshments, small games of chance, a silent auction and 50/50. Tickets: 724-814-0180.

Cheswick

Saturday: Rock of Ages Alliance Church will host a free community picnic from noon to 2:30 p.m. at Acme Park, 101 Herron Ave. Lunch will be served from noon to 1 p.m. and there will be activities afterward. Details: rockofagesalliance.com.

Aug. 7 to 11: Cheswick Christian Fellowship will host a free vacation Bible school, “Rocky Railway,” from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the church, 1407 Pittsburgh St. Details: 724-274-4846.

East Franklin

Wednesday : Harvest Church will host a free dinner and evening of encouragement at 6:30 p.m. for teachers as they prepare to start the new school year at the church, 143 Reed Road. Reservations required. Reservations: harvestpa.org/events.

Freeport

Saturday: The Eagles will sell outdoor-grilled barbeque chicken from 11 a.m. until sold out at the aerie, 101 Fifth St. Advance orders recommended. Cost: $8, includes coleslaw. Dine in or take out. Orders: 724-295-9979.

Sept. 17 and 18: Freeport Renaissance Association is accepting vendor applications for the annual September By the River event. Hours: noon to 8 p.m. Sept. 17 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 18. Art, food and business vendors welcome. Details: freeportcommunity.com or septbytheriver@gmail.com.

Hampton

Sunday: Punk rock band the Regrettes will be featured at the free 2022 Summer Concert series Sunday at Hartwood Acres Park Amphitheater, 4070 Middle Road. Black Dog Winery and Hop Farm Brewing trucks will be on site beginning at 6 p.m. and performances will begin at 7:30 p.m. Bring a chair.

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.

Today: Community Library of Allegheny Valley will have a Build-A-Buddy workshop fundraiser from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at the library, 1522 Broadview Blvd. Cost: $20 for an 18-inch stuffed animal. Advance orders requested. Orders: 724-226-3491.

Saturday: Community Library of Allegheny Valley will host an Arctic Blast event for all members of the family from 1 to 3 p.m. at the library, 1522 Broadview Blvd. There will be face painting, animal ice rescue and other activities. Kona Ice will be sold with proceeds to benefit the library. Details: 724-226-3491.

Sunday : A purse bash to benefit Robin’s Home charity that provides help to low income women veterans and their children will be at Natrona Heights Veterans of Foreign Wars, 894 Veterans Lane. Doors open at 11 a.m., lunch will be served at 12:30 p.m. and bingo begins at 1 p.m. Cost: $35 in advance; $40 at the door; includes lunch. There will be a cash bar, pull tab tickets, a silent auction, pick of the table and raffles. Tickets: 724-904-7649.

Aug. 1 to 5: Guardian Angels Parish will have vacation Bible school, “Monumental,” from 6 to 8:30 p.m. for children in prekindergarten through sixth grade in the parish Patterson Hall, 800 Montana Ave., Natrona Heights. Volunteers welcome. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-226-4900 or ccd@guardianangelspgh.org.

Lower Burrell 

Today: A Fish Fry in July will be from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the American Legion, 1100 Wildlife Lodge Road. Menu: hand-battered fish sandwich, $11; fish on a dish combo, $12, fish sandwich combo, $13; and jumbo shrimp basket, $13. Combos and shrimp basket include fries and coleslaw. Takeout fee: $1. Orders: 724-339-9417.

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

Manor 

Sunday: Armstrong Community Theater will sponsor a Rubber Ducky Derby at noon at Falcon Park, 2169 State Route 66. Cost: $5, includes a duck and picnic lunch. Covered dishes welcome. Prizes will be awarded. Bring a lawn chair and favorite outdoor game. Tickets: available from theater members; and Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the children’s musical at the Casino Theater in Vandergrift.

New Kensington

Today: Welcoming Westmoreland will host a free welcoming coffee talk from 10 a.m. to noon at Knead Community Café, 1011 Barnes St. New residents are welcome to enjoy free coffee and breakfast breads and learn more about what the community has to offer.

Saturday: Peoples Library, 880 Barnes St., will present, “Life in the Sea,” with Mad Science at 1 p.m. in the courtyard behind the library. No reservations required. Details: 724-339-1021.

Saturday and Tuesday: The Community Clothes Closet, 1129 Kenneth Ave., will be open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday and noon to 2 p.m. Tuesday. Items available include clothing for all members of the family, shoes and linens. First-time customers receive 15 free items. Summer clothing donations accepted during business hours.

Aug. 21: Sponsors are needed for a back-to-school bash planned at Lost Dreams Awakening Recovery Center, 408 Eighth St., rear. Details: Ronel, 412-219-8313 or Laurie, 724-594-7903.

Oakmont/Frazer 

Through Aug. 31: Panera Bread Café will donate a portion of sales from each Frozen Agave Lemonade, Frozen Strawberry Lemonade, Lemon Drop Cookie and Lemonade tote sold to Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, a pediatric cancer charity that funds cancer treatment and research. Donations will also be accepted. Participating stores include Pittsburgh Mills Mall, Frazer, and Allegheny River Blvd., Oakmont.

O’Hara

Aug. 6: A drag queen bingo featuring Divine Divas to benefit Guyasuta Youth Football will be from 5 to 10 p.m. at Comfort Inn RIDC, 180 Gamma Drive. Doors open at 4 p.m. Admission: $25. Must be at least 18 to attend. Food and drinks will be sold. Tickets: tinyurl.com/mvec3ncw.

Parks

Sunday: Parks Township Sportsman’s Club will host a country music jam night from 5 to 8 p.m. at the club, 1111 Shipman Road. Bring your favorite stringed instrument and sing along. Refreshments available. Public welcome. Details: 724-845-2390.

Rayburn

Aug. 13: A cash bash to benefit Rory Ridge Horse Rescue will be from 4 to 7 p.m. at Rayburn Volunteer Fire Department, 102 Water Tower Road. Doors open at 3:30 p.m. Cost: $20, includes food and drinks. There will be strip tickets, a basket raffle and 50/50. Winners need not be present. Tickets: 724-859-1972 or roryridgerescue@gmail.com.

Tarentum  

Saturday: Tarentum Elks will host a summer fling charity dance to benefit the Elks Home Visiting Nurses program from 8 to 11 p.m. at the lodge, 219 E Sixth Ave. Cost: $10, includes pop, snacks and draft beer. Music will be by the 56 East Band and there will be a cash bar. Tickets: Bob Morrow, 724-980-8819 or at the lodge bar.

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: BridgePoint Church will have a service from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Riverview Memorial Park, First Avenue, Tarentum. There will be a children’s lesson and craft. Bring a covered dish to share at the picnic which will be afterward. Free food boxes will be distributed. Details: 724-671-7580.

Sunday and Tuesday: 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.

Sept. 8 to 10: Summit Hose Co. is accepting crafter and vendor applications for its Fall Festival. No food vendors, please. Details: Tami Sudy, 878-302-5367 or tamisudy@gmail.com.

Upper Burrell 

Aug. 28: Sky View Radio Society is accepting reservations for flea market tailgating spaces at its Swap N’ Shop Hamfest set for 8 a.m. to noon at the society grounds, 2335 Turkey Ridge Road. Cost: $5 per space. Reservations and details: John Italiano, 724-339-3821.

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.

West Deer

Sunday: Cub Scout Pack 965 will sponsor a free bike rodeo from 1 to 3 p.m. in the parking lot at Deer Lakes Middle School. Bring your own bike and helmet. Snacks and refreshments will be served. The event is geared for children 12 and younger, but everyone is welcome. Trek Bicycle, West Deer Police and West Deer EMS will be onsite. Registration required to receive a goody bag. Registration: tinyurl.com/yc5bp2wr.

Aug. 11: West Deer Dog Shelter is accepting orders for a John Marshall Catering hoagie sale. Cost: $10, for a turkey or Italian hoagie. Order deadline: Friday. Pickup: 5 to 7 p.m. Aug. 11 at the West Deer Municipal Building, 109 East Union Road. Orders: Marleen, 412-709-0978 or MarleenMeyer2020@gmail.com.

West Leechburg

Aug. 6: An 80s Beach Bash will be from noon to 5 p.m. at West Leechburg Volunteer Firehall, 1116 Gosser St. Doors open at 11 a.m. Prizes will include $1,500 cash, purses by Kate Spade, Coach and Dooney & Burke, assorted firearms and a Liberty gun safe. Cost: $25 and winner need not be present. Tickets: 724-332-9090. Proceeds benefit the Leechburg, Gilpin, West Leechburg and Parks volunteer fire departments.

Reunions

• Ken High Class of 1958 will have a reunion at 1 p.m. Sept. 15 at Hill Crest Country Club, Lower Burrell. Details: Marie Thompson Capo at 724-335-2297 or sistermariedom@gmail.com; or Darlene Pike at 724-316-1838 or darlenepike1940@gmail.com.

• Freeport High School Class of 1961 will have a reunion at 3 p.m. Aug. 27 at the Praha Restaurant, 400 Corbet. St., Tarentum. Interested classmates should call Norma at 724-431-7271 or Eileen at 724-352-9013.

• West Deer High School Class of 1962 will have a reunion Aug. 20 the West Deer Veterans of Foreign Wars, 355 W. Starz Road. A social hour will begin at 1 p.m. and a picnic buffet will be served at 2:30 p.m. Classmates who have not received information should contact B.J. Seibert Morrison at 412-487-6485 or BMorr0813@gmail.com.

• Plum High School Class of 1966 will have a reunion from 6 to 10 p.m. Aug. 27 at Pugliano’s Italian Grill, 1808 Golden Mile Highway, Plum. Menu: buffet dinner including appetizers, deli platter, salads, vegetables, beef, chicken, pasta, dessert and non-alcoholic beverages. Cost: $35 each payable in cash at the door. Please have exact change. Casual attire recommended. Reservations and details: Al Poxon, alpox1@aol.com.

• Highlands High School Class of 1970 will host a Turning 70 mixer at 6 p.m. Aug. 27 at Hill Crest Country Club, 3411 Leechburg Road, Lower Burrell. All Highlands High School graduates are welcome. There will be a cash bar, finger foods, a DJ and dancing. Details: Debbie, 724-224-1972 or Dave, 724-226-0747.

• Freeport Area High School Class of 1982 will have a reunion Aug. 20 on the back patio at the White Star Club, Buffalo Township. Doors open at 5 p.m. Cost: $25, includes buffet dinner at 6 p.m. and music from 7 to 10 p.m. Cash bar. Reservations required by Friday. Details: Michelle, 412-576-6539.

Send reunion news to Carol Pinto-Smith at 210 Wood St., Tarentum PA 15068 or email cpinto-smith@triblive.com.