The Stroller, June 3, 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.

Concordia speakers bureau offers presentations

The Concordia Lutheran Ministries Speakers Bureau has senior-care professionals available to speak to organizations and community groups free of charge.

Topics available include fall prevention, chronic disease management, senior nutrition, senior living, advance directives, end of life decision making, health and wellness, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease education, nutrition for a healthy lifestyle and more. A full list of topics is available.

For details, contact Cheryl Aughton at 724-487-4656 or caughton@concordialm.org.

Paper recycling project to benefit Apollo Memorial Library

A paper recycling bin is now located in the Apollo Volunteer Fire Department No. 2 and First Lutheran Church parking lot in Apollo.

Items that will be accepted include paper, newspapers, magazines, paper board such as cereal boxes and old books. Please no garbage or corrugated cardboard.

Items collected will be recycled and proceeds donated to Apollo Memorial Library.

Free rides available to medical appointments

Wesley Family Services now offers free transportation for those 18 and older from their homes to medical facilities within New Kensington, Arnold, Lower Burrell and parts of Vandergrift.

Rides are available from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays except holidays. One-way and round-trip rides are available. For details, call 724-895-8214.

Calendar

Apollo

Tuesday: The Adult Book Club at Apollo Memorial Library will meet at 6 p.m. at the library, 219 N. Pennsylvania Ave. The group meets the first Tuesday of the month. New members welcome. Details: 724-478-4214.

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.

Apollo/East Vandergrift

June 12: St. James and Our Lady, Queen of Peace parishes will sponsor a bus trip to Rivers Casino in Pittsburgh. The bus will leave at 9 a.m. from the St. James parking lot, 109 Owens View Drive. Must be 21. Cost: $35, includes $20 in free play and bus driver gratuity. State-issued photo ID required to receive free play. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-478-4958.

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.

Freeport

Wednesdays: 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.

Friday : The Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania will sponsor a free community walk Freeport Community Park. The event will begin at 9 a.m. and will last one hour, rain or shine. Meet in the parking lot of Laube Hall. A naturalist will lead the group and will discuss birds, beneficial insects, native plants and wildlife. Binoculars will be available. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-295-3589 or aswp.org.

Harrison

Tuesday: The Accordion Club is seeking new players of all ages. Meetings are from 6 to 8 p.m. the first and third Tuesday of each month at 6003 Freeport Road. Details: 724-236-0665.

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. Cost: tops and bottoms for men and women, 50 cents; children’s clothing, 25 cents. 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.

Lower Burrell  

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

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

Oakmont

Tuesdays: 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.

Plum

Tuesdays: The Plum Food Pantry, 81 Sandune Drive, distributes free food from 5 to 6:30 p.m. the first three Tuesdays of each month. Details: 724-327-0367.

Tarentum

Wednesday: Highlands Family Center, 415 E. Fourth Ave., will host a free farmers market from 1 to 5 p.m. at the center, while supplies last. No income guidelines required. Items available will include vegetables, fruit, milk, cheese, bread and more.

Wednesday: Alle-Kiski Valley Heritage Museum and History Center will host a free evening of scrapbooking from 6 to 8 p.m. at the museum, 224 E. Seventh Ave. Bring your own supplies or supplies will be sold. Details: Melissa, 412-401-7196 or 724-224-7666.

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.

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.

Vandergrift

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.