The Stroller, June 25, 2024: 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.

Free meals available at Knead Community Cafe

Knead Community Café will hand out free grab-and-go meals from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the cafe, 1011 Barnes St., New Kensington

This week’s meals are sponsored in memory of Gloria Bolt. There will be no meal distribution July 4 due to the Independence Day holiday. For details, call 878-847-7997.

Calendar

Apollo

Wednesday: Apollo Hose Co. No. 2 will have 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.

Brackenridge

Wednesday: 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.

Wednesday: Trinity United Methodist Church will sponsor a story time from 11 a.m. to noon in Brackenridge Park. There will be a story and a craft and lunch will be served. Details: Amanda, 724-504-7876 or bartelkaw@gmail.com.

Thursday: The Allegheny Valley Salvation Army and Community Center will distribute free grab-and-go lunches from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the center parking lot, 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. Details: 724-994-6030.

Buffalo Township

Today: Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank will host a drive-through food distribution for anyone in need from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Lernerville Speedway, 313 N. Pike Road. No reservations required. Guests should remain in their vehicles and open their door or trunk and will be served on a first come, first served basis.

Friday: The Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania will sponsor a free program, “Summer Nights and Fireflies,” at 8 p.m. at Buffalo Creek Nature Park, 154 Monroe Road. Learn about our state insect and its life. Reservations required. Reservations: aswp.org.

Cheswick

Wednesday: A department service officer from the American Legion will be available by appointment from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the office of Pa. Rep. Mandy Steele, 1296 Pittsburgh St. Appointments: 724-826-5151.

East Vandergrift 

July 4: Our Lady, Queen of Peace Parish is selling tickets for a cash lottery raffle. Winning numbers will be the 1:30 and 7 p.m. Pa. Lottery Daily Pick-3 numbers. Winners will each receive $1,000 and a $100 gift certificate to Naser Foods. Cost: $10, includes two three-digit numbers. Tickets: Patricia, 724-568-3409, Deborah, 724-859-3186 or after Sunday Mass in the church vestibule.

Freeport

Wednesday: A story time will be from noon to 2 p.m. for children 12 and younger accompanied by an adult at Freeport Area Library, 428 Market St. Details: 724-295-3616 or freeportlibrary.org.

Wednesday: 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

Monday through Friday: The Natrona Playground Summer Camp for children will serve a free lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. weekdays at the playground, 10 River Ave. Free classes will be from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Programs this week are: Tuesday, silk screen art with Ms. Maritza; Wednesday, a field trip to Natrona Bottling for an ice cream sundae; and Thursday, art expressions with Ms. Maritza.

Wednesday: The Kitchen Sink Book Club at Community Library of Allegheny Valley will meet at 5:30 p.m. at the library, 1522 Broadview Blvd. The selection will be “In a Sunburned Country” by Bill Bryson. Copies are available at the circulation desk. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-226-3491 or alleghenyvalleylibrary.org.

Wednesday: The Becky’s Closet community clothing store at Faith Lutheran Church, 1500 Broadview Blvd., will be open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the church. Clothing for all members of the family available at very low cost. Donations welcome during these hours. Everyone welcome.

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

Wednesday: 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. The Sparrow’s Nest clothing and home goods ministry will be open from 1 to 4:30 p.m. Details and alternate times: 724-226-0606, ext. 10.

Thursday and Friday: Allegheny Valley Hospital Auxiliary will sell chances from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for a scratch-off lottery ticket raffle in the hospital lobby, 1301 Carlisle St. The winner will receive scratch-off tickets with a face value of $150. The drawing will be at 3 p.m. Friday. Cost: $2 each, cash or checks accepted. Proceeds will benefit auxiliary projects for the hospital.

June 29: The park rangers at Harrison Hills Park will host a free program about removing invasive species from 9 a.m. to noon. Meet at the park Rachel Carson shelter. All ages welcome. Expect to participate in physical activity. Bring water and wear long pants and closed-toe shoes. Tools, gloves and eye protection provided. Reservations required. Reservations: tinyurl.com/5ad8x36d.

Indiana Township

Thursday: The free Movies in the Parks program sponsored by the Allegheny County Parks Department will present “Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie” rated PG at dusk on the lawn of the Hartwood Acres Mansion. Bring a chair or blanket, snacks and drinks.

Jefferson Township

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.

Kiski Township

Today: The diaper pantry at Spring Church Lutheran Church, 3623 Lutheran Church Road, will distribute diapers from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the church. Distributions will be the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month. Recipients must register in advance. First-time recipients must provide their own ID, the child’s birth certificate and a current WIC or SNAP card. Registration: 724-478-1528.

Leechburg  

Wednesdays and Saturdays: Leechburg Area Museum, 118 First St., will be open from noon to 3 p.m.

Thursday: The Leechburg Museum Genealogy Group will go on a field trip to Historic Hanna’s Town in Westmoreland County to perform research at the Westmoreland Historical Society Library, 809 Forbes Trail Road. Meet at 10:20 a.m. at the library.

Thursday: Holy Innocents Anglican Church, 366 Third St., will have a lasagna dinner from 4 to 6 p.m. at the church. Menu: lasagna, salad, bread and dessert, $12. Dine in or takeout. A portion of proceeds will benefit local outreach programs. Takeout orders: 724-845-6165 or 724-845-3305 on Thursday.

July 11: A rubber ducky race fundraiser to benefit the borough’s 175^th anniversary celebration next year will be at 5 p.m. on the Kiski River. Ducks will be dropped into the river from the walking bridge to Hyde Park and will be fished out at the finish line at the firemen’s boat launch. Prizes will be awarded. Cost: $5 per duck. Ducks are available at Leechburg Public Library, 139 Market St. Checks payable to Leechburg Area Community Association will be accepted.

Lower Burrell  

Today: Peoples Library will have a summer story time at 1 p.m. at the library, 3052 Wachter St. Details: 724-339-1021.

Wednesday: Peoples Library will host a workshop, “Creating Backyard Habitats and Bee Box Building,” with the Allegheny Land Trust at 1 p.m. at the library, 3052 Wachter Ave. Details: 724-339-1021.

Through June 30: The works of members of the Allegheny Valley League of Artists will be on exhibit during operating hours at Peoples Library, 3052 Wachter Ave. Artists include Don and Debra Pendergast, Chris Reifenstein and Patti Giordano.

New Kensington

Today: A summer story time will be at 11 a.m. at Peoples Library, 880 Barnes St. Details: 724-339-1021.

Thursday: The Salvation Army will host Sally’s Outdoor Market from 2 to 6 p.m. at the center, 255 Third St. Free fresh produce will be available while supplies last. Vendor applications are being accepted. Details: 724-335-7221.

Thursday: New Kensington Eagles Auxiliary Bingo will be at 7 p.m. at the aerie, 2134 Freeport Road. Doors open at 5 p.m. Sales are from 6 to 6:50 p.m. Cost: $25 for a 12-on package; specials will be available. The kitchen will be open. Public welcome. Details: 724-448-7403.

Thursday: Peoples Library, 880 Barnes St., will offer a knitting class for beginners at noon at the library. Needles and yard provided. Details: 724-339-1021.

Oakmont

Today: Taking Pounds Off Sensibly (TOPS) meets at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 1261 Pennsylvania Ave. Private weigh-ins will be from 5:45 to 6:10 p.m. and the meeting will be afterward. The first meeting is free. Please note the new location. Details: 412-828-3854 or jmjkwj@gmail.com.

Through August 31: Kerr Memorial Museum, 402 Delaware Ave., Oakmont, is featuring an exhibit of elegant fashions of the late 1800s to the Roaring ‘20s at the museum. Items on display were donated to the museum by the W. H. Brown Family of Pittsburgh. Hours are by appointment. Tours and information: 412-826-9295 to schedule a tour.

Springdale 

Wednesday: The Let’s Get Crafting program at Springdale Free Public Library will host a workshop to make a patriotic wreath at 1 p.m. at the library, 331 School St. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-274-9729.

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 Thursday.

Thursday: The diaper pantry at St. Mark Lutheran Church will distribute free diapers from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the church, 600 Pittsburgh St. Advance registration required. First-time recipients must provide their own ID, the child’s birth certificate and a current WIC or SNAP card. Distributions are the second and fourth Thursdays of each month. Registration: 724-274-5313.

Tarentum

Wednesday: The Farmers Market will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the parking lot at 10^th Avenue and Lock Street.

Wednesday: 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.

Wednesdays and Saturdays: The Alle-Kiski Valley Heritage Museum, 224 E. Seventh Ave., is open from noon to 3 p.m. and other times by appointment. Details: 724-224-7666.

Vandergrift

Today: The YoYos Needle Arts group at Vandergrift Public Library will meet from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the library reading room, 128C Washington Ave. No reservations required; just stop in. All skill levels welcome; however, this is not an instructional program. Details: 724-568-2212.

Wednesday: 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.

Washington Township

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

Winfield

Thursday: The Matrona Family Resource Center at Cabot Church, 707 Winfield Road, will be open from 6 to 8 p.m. New and gently used clothing in sizes preemie through 10/12 will be available, as well as strollers, car seats, toys and more. No reservations required. Details: 724-524-1809 or tinyurl.com/mw9kd9cp.