The Stroller, June 21, 2023: 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.

Amateur Astronomers plan at free star parties

Amateur Astronomers Association of Pittsburgh will host free 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 only parking lights when entering 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. There will be specials and wish jars. Details: 724-478-4831.

Thursday: The Yarn Good Time needle arts group at Apollo Memorial Library will meet from 5 to 7 p.m. at the library, 219 N. Pennsylvania Ave. All ages and skill levels welcome. Details: 724-478-4214.

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: The Allegheny Valley Salvation Army and Community Center offers free grab-and-go lunches from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in parking lot at the center, 917 Brackenridge Ave. Free grocery items from Walmart and Aldi will be available. Everyone is welcome.

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

Buffalo Township 

Thursday : Zion United Methodist Church will host a community blood drive from 1 to 7 p.m. in the church Family Life Center, 438 Bear Creek Road. Appointments recommended. Bring ID. Appointments: 412-209-7000 or visit donateblood.centralbloodbank.org. Search for group code UC664 or by zip code 16055.

East Vandergrift

July 3 and 4: Our Lady, Queen of Peace Parish is selling tickets for a Firecracker Cash lottery raffle. Cost: $10, includes two three-digit numbers. The winning number will be the 7 p.m. Daily Pick-3 number on July 3 and 4. Winners receive $1,000, a $100 gift card to Lackey’s Dairy Queen, North Apollo, and a $100 gift card to Allusion Brewery, Vandergrift. Tickets: Deborah, 724-859-3186 or after Mass in the church vestibule.

Freeport

Today: Freeport Area Library will host a summer story time from 11 a.m. to noon at the library, 428 Market St. There will be stories, songs, a craft and an opportunity to watch the library’s caterpillars grow into butterflies. Details: 724-295-3616.

Today: The Thrift Store Clothing Ministry 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 7:15 p.m. at the firehall, 113 Firehall Road.

Harrison

Today: Faith Lutheran Church, 1500 Broadview Blvd., will host a Becky’s Closet community clothing store from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the church. Clothing available at very low cost. Donations welcome during this time.

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. Details and alternate times: 724-226-0606, ext. 10.

Today: The Agape Thrift Shop at Grace United Methodist Church, 1333 Freeport Road, will be open from 1 to 4 p.m. Clean spring and summer clothing in all sizes is needed. No housewares or bedding please due to lack of space. 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.

Indiana Township

Today: Katie Simone will perform at 7 p.m. at the Hartwood Acres Sculpture Garden. The concert is part of the Allegheny County Park Acoustic Series. A short trail walk with park rangers will be from 6 to 6:30 p.m.

Jefferson 

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.

Thursday : Concordia Haven Retirement Apartments will have an event Sip, Savor and Compare at 2 p.m. in the Haven I dining room, 112 Marwood Road, entrance 2A. There will be a seminar, “Compare Concordia: Affordable, Worry-free Living,: tours, wine from Saxonburg Heritage Wine Cellars and appetizers. Walk-ins are welcome, but reservations are preferred. Reservations: Peggy Trettel, 724-352-5378 or ptrettel@concordialm.org.

Kittanning

Thursday and Sunday: Armstrong County Historical Museum, 300 N. McKean St., will be open from 1 to 3 p.m. Hours may change for special events. Free parking is available behind the museum via North Grant Avenue. Details: 724-548-5707 or achgs300@gmail.com or visit Armstrong County Historical Museum/Genealogical Society on Facebook.

Leechburg

Today: Leechburg Public Library will offer a writers workshop from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the library, 139 Market St. Details: 724-236-0080.

Thursday: The Leechburg Farmers Market will be from 5 to 8 p.m. in the municipal lot beside Fox’s Pizza on Market Street. There will be a tattoo art show by Iron Element Tattoo.

Thursday: First United Methodist Church, 251 Main St., will host a Vitalant community blood drive from 2 to 6:30 p.m. in the church fellowship hall. Appointments recommended. Appointments: 412-209-7000 or visit vitalant.org and use group code G0110175.

Lower Burrell  

Thursday: An arts and crafts workshop for all ages will be at 1 p.m. at Peoples Library, 3052 Wachter Ave. Details: 724-339-1021.

Friday: Peoples Library will host a cornhole challenge at 1 p.m. at the library, 3052 Wachter Ave. Bring a friend.

Oct. 22: New Kensington Moose is accepting table reservations for a fall craft and vendor show planned for 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the lodge, 499 Reimer St. Spaces limited to one representative from each company on a first come, first served basis. Cost: $25 for an 8-foot table; $20 for a 6-foot table. Reservation deadline is Sept. 1. Reservations: text 724-448-2506 or mooselodge053@gmail.com.

New Kensington

Thursday: Sally’s Outdoor Market will be from 2 to 6 p.m. 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 lauren.suprano@use.salvationarmy.org.

Thursday: An arts and crafts workshop for all ages will be at 11 a.m. at Peoples Library, 880 Barnes St. Details: 724-339-1021.

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.

June 30: A Vitalant community blood drive in memory of fallen Brackenridge Police Chief Justin McIntire will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Knead Community Cafe’, 1011 Barnes St. Appointments recommended. Appointments: 877-258-4825 or visit vitalant.org and search with zip code 15068.

Parks Township

Friday: Parks Township Volunteer Fire Department will host bingo at 7 p.m. in the firehall, 1119 Dalmation Drive. Doors open at 5 p.m.

Springdale  

Thursday: Lower Valley Community Food Bank will distribute food from 1 to 3 p.m. Thursday from the rear entrance of the Springdale borough building, 325 School St. Do not arrive before 12:45 p.m. Anyone in need of food who lives in Springdale, Springdale Township, Cheswick, Harmar and the sections of Indiana Township and West Deer with a zip code of 15024 is welcome. New recipients can register on Thursday.

July 8: Vendor and food truck vendor applications are being accepted for Springdale Community Day set for 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Lincoln Avenue. There will be a car show, kids games and scavenger hunt. Volunteers are also needed. Details: 724-274-6269.

Tarentum

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.

Today: The borough farmers market open for the season from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the parking lot of First United Presbyterian Church, 913 Lock St.

Weekdays: Free food and hygiene items are available at Highlands Family Center, 415 E. Fourth Ave., suite 12. Hours: noon to 8 p.m. Mondays, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays. Details: 724-224-9006.

Vandergrift

Today: The Anime Club for children in fifth through 10^th grade at Vandergrift Public Library will meet from 6 to 7 p.m. at the library, 128C Washington Ave. Details: 724-568-2212.

Thursday : Vandergrift Business Association will offer a free class, “Process and Ways to Purchase an Existing Business,” at 6:30 p.m. at Allusion Brewing, 143 Grant Ave., as part of its summer lecture series. Dennis Cestra, president of Howard Hanna Pennsylvania will be the speaker. 

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.