The Stroller, July 6, 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.

Picnic to benefit pig rescue

A Summer Pig-nic to benefit the Pittsburgh Squealers pig rescue will be from noon to 4 p.m. July 31 at Voodoo Brewing Company, 956 Fifth Ave., New Kensington.

Admission is $35 and includes vegan picnic food, dessert and one Piggy punch. Additional beverages will be sold.

For tickets, visit sweet-alchemy-bake-shop-llc.square.site or stop in at Sweet Alchemy Bake Shop, 932 Fifth Ave., suite D, New Kensington.

Free concert planned in Freeport’s Riverside Park

The free Freeport Summer concert series will feature the reggae band 4-Yaadi from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday in Riverside Park.

Food and drinks will be available. Bring a lawn chair or blanket.

Star parties planned Saturday and Sunday

Amateur Astronomers Association of Pittsburgh will host star parties at 8:45 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Nicholas E. Wagman Observatory, 225 Kurn Road, in Deer Lakes Regional Park, weather permitting.

You can bring your telescope, and AAAP members will be happy to help you with set up and operation. Bring binoculars, a blanket and camping chair.

Please use parking lights only when driving through the park gate. Donations will be accepted. For details and weather updates, call 724-224-2510 or visit 3ap.org.

Calendar

Apollo

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. Details: 724-478-4831.

July 12: 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. The selection will be, “The Poet X,” by Elizabeth Acevedo. A copy of the book is free to participants while supplies last. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-478-4214.

Arnold

Sunday: A flea market will be from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Arnold Volunteer Fire Company No. 2 social hall, 1702 Fifth Ave. Cost: $10 for two tables. Details: Jim Duncan, 724-754-7666.

Bethel

July 14: The Outdoor Discovery Center at Crooked Creek and Ford City Library will host a free story night at 7 p.m. at the Crook Creek Park Outflow area. The selection will be, “Steve, Terror of the Seas,” by Megan Brewis and there will be activities. Children 3 and older welcome. Reservations required. Reservations: forms.office.com/r/jMgB6n3N49.

Brackenridge

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

Butler County

Thursday: The National Alliance on Mental Illness of Butler County will offer a free online support group at 7 p.m. at Zoom.us for families and friends of those living with a mental illness. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-431-0069 or info@namibutler.org.

Ford City

July 16: Tickets are on sale for the Ford City Community Kennywood picnic at Klingensmith Drug Stores in Ford City, Kittanning and West Kittanning. Cost: $28 for a FunDay Pass. Passes can also be used weekdays through Aug. 19. An extra $10 fee will be charged to use the tickets on weekends through Aug 19. Bus tickets for the day of the picnic are also available for $8. Details: 412-389-8366.

Freeport

Today: The Thrift Store Clothing Ministry at Freeport United Methodist Church, 211 Fourth St., will be open from noon to 3 p.m. Cash only. Donations of summer clothing, shoes, bedding and purses welcome. Donations must be laundered and free from pet hair. Details: 724-295-3095.

Thursday: Freeport Renaissance Association will meet at 7 p.m. at 1833 Coffee and Tea, 300 Fifth St. New members welcome.

Gilpin

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

Saturday: Take-out chicken dinners will be sold from 4:30 p.m. until the food runs out at Gilpin Volunteer Fire Department, 113 Firehall Road. Menu: baked chicken, mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans, coleslaw, roll and dessert. $10. Orders: 724-845-7200.

Harmar

Thursday: The free Thursday Music Series at 7 p.m. in the Pittsburgh Shrine Center pavilion will feature the Curtis and the Shakerz and Bill Wharton, “The Sauce Boss.” Gates open at 6 p.m. Rain or shine. Free parking. Food and drinks will be available. No tailgating, outside food or beverages permitted. The weekly event is sponsored by Band Together Pittsburgh, Moondog’s and the Pittsburgh Shrine Center.

Harrison

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 3 to 5 p.m. Wednesday.

Today: The Agape Thrift Shop at Grace United Methodist Church, 1333 Freeport Road, will be open from 1 to 4 p.m. Masks required. Clean summer clothing in all sizes is needed. Bring donations on Wednesday or leave them on the front porch. Do not place donations in the blue bins behind the church.

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.

July 31: 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.

Jefferson

Thursday: Bingo will be at 6:30 p.m. at the American Legion, 754 N. Pike Road. Doors open at 5 p.m. Under new management with higher payouts. 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 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the museum, 118 First St. Basic computer skills and face masks required. Ancestry.com and Newspaper.com are available. Details: Judy, 724-681-9154.

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.

Friday: Leechburg Public Library will host a summer block party from 10 to 11:30 a.m. for children in preschool through third grade at the library, 139 Market St. Children will build with Lincoln Logs, magnetic blocks and a wooden train set. Details: 724-236-0080.

Tuesday: First United Methodist Church, 251 Main St., will host a Vitalant community blood drive from 2 to 7 p.m. in the church fellowship hall. Appointments recommended. Appointments: 412-209-7000 or visit donateblood.centralbloodbank.org and use group code G0110175.

July 13: The book club at Leechburg Public Library will meet at 6 p.m. at the library, 139 Market St. The selection will be, “The Midnight Library,” by Matt Haig. New members welcome. Details: 724-236-0080.

Lower Burrell

July 25 to 29: Bethel United Methodist Church, 150 Alder St., will have vacation Bible school, “Rocky Railway,” from 9:30 a.m. to noon for children age 4 to those who have completed fifth grade. Donations will be accepted. Reservations: bethelumc.us.

Manor

Friday and Saturday: The 26^th annual Fort Armstrong Championship Rodeo will be at 8 p.m. at Crooked Creek Horse Park, 467 Crooked Creek Dam Road. Gates open at 4:30 p.m. Admission: $15; age 4 to 12, $5, younger than 4, free. Details: 724-859-5572 or fortarmstrongrodeo.com.

New Kensington

Thursday: Knead Community Café in New Kensington will hand out free grab-and-go meals from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the café, 1011 Barnes St. This week’s meals were donated anonymously. Details: 878-847-7997.

Thursday: Sally’s Outdoor Market will be from 2 to 6 p.m. Thursdays, weather permitting, at the Salvation Army, 255 Third St. There will be fresh produce, plants, baked goods, hot foods and more. Vendor spaces available. Details: 724-335-7221, ext. 106 or laruen.suprano@use.salvationarmy.org.

Thursday: The Secular Organization for Sobriety/Save Our Selves (SOS) a support group for people recovering from alcohol and drug abuse, will meet a 7 p.m. at Lost Dreams Awakening Recovery Community Center, 408 Eighth St. Details: 724-556-0737.

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. Public welcome. Details: 724-448-7403.

Friday: A towel bingo will be hosted by East Kensington Community Circle at the community circle building, 1785 Seventh St. Cake and coffee will be served at 7 p.m. and bingo will begin at 7:30. Cost: $2, includes one board, cake and coffee; additional boards, 50 cents each.

July 17: Peoples Library is conducting a basket raffle to benefit the library. Baskets are on display at the New Kensington location, 880 Barnes St., and photographs of the baskets are available at the Lower Burrell library, 3052 Wachter St. The drawing will be July 17. Cost: $5 each. Tickets: at both libraries.

Oakmont

July 31: Reservations are being accepted for the Kerr Museum Victorian Bridal Luncheon set for 12:30 p.m. at Oakmont Country Club. Hats and fascinators welcome. Cost: $75. Reservations required by July 22. Reservations: 412-826-9295.

O’Hara

Aug. 6: A drag 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.

Springdale 

July 11: Springdale Free Public Library will sponsor a program about bees at 6 p.m. at the library, 331 School St. Nancy Thorne from the Beekeepers Association of Western Pennsylvania will be the speaker and will bring an observation hive. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-274-9729.

Tarentum

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

Today: BridgePointe Church will have its free children’s summer reading program from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the church library, 400 E. Ninth Ave. Lunch and a snack will be served. Details: 724-671-7580.

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.

Thursday: The free diaper bank at Highlands Family Center, 415 E. Fourth Ave., will be open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. One distribution per child per month is available. Details: 724-224-9006.

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.

Vandergrift

Thursday: The Farmer’s Market will open for the season in the Columbia Avenue parking lot. Hours are 4 to 6:30 p.m. Thursdays through Oct. 13.

Washington Township

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

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. 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.