The Stroller, June 30, 2020: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley

Is your non-profit organization going to have a fundraiser? Send information to The Stroller at least a week in advance to vndnews@tribweb.com or The Stroller, Valley News Dispatch, 210 Wood St., Tarentum PA 15084. Please include a daytime telephone number.

Audubon Society offers birding camp at Beechwood Farms

The Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania will host nature camps for students at Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve, 614 Dorseyville Road, Fox Chapel.

A Birdz Day Camp will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Children age 12 to 17 will attend July 8 and those age 5 to 11 will attend July 21.

Campers will develop birding skills as they spend time in the field with correct equipment and expert guides and there will be a lecture on birds of prey with an up-close visit with Eastern Screech Owls.

Cost is $60; and $50 for members. Maxim camp attendance is 15 campers per session and masks are required. Campers should bring a lunch.

To register, visit the Audubon Society website or call 412-963-6100.

Gardening help sought by Vandergrift Public Library

Vandergrift Public Library is seeking volunteers to assist in the maintenance of the small flower garden outside the library, located at 128C Washington Ave.

Tasks will include weeding, pruning and cleaning up garbage and leaves.

To offer your time, call Vanessa at at 724-568-2212 or email vanessa.groholski@wlnonline.org.

Grab-and-go lunch distribution canceled Friday

There will be no grab-and-go lunch distribution Friday at Natrona Community Park in Harrison due to the Independence Day holiday.

Distributions on Thursday will include a breakfast and lunch for Thursday and Friday. The normal schedule will resume Monday.

Salvation Army offers free lunches

The Allegheny Valley Salvation Army and Community Center offers free grab and go lunches from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursdays in parking lot at the center, 917 Brackenridge Ave.

Knead Community Café seeking donations and sponsorships

Knead Community Café in New Kensington offers free grab-and-go meals on Thursdays to members of the community, regardless of ability to pay.

About 230 meals are served weekly at a cost of $2.50 per meal. Full meal sponsorships are available at $450 per week. Smaller donations are always welcome.

Any business, organization, church or individual interested in supporting the mission of the café should contact Marcie at 878-302-3270.

Community Library of Allegheny Valley now offers computer use

Community Library of Allegheny Valley now offers the use of library computer by patrons by appointment.

Use is limited to one hour per day. Computers will be cleaned after each session.

To make an appointment, call 724-622-3491 or visit the library website.

Calendar

Apollo

Apollo Area Historical Society Museum has reopened. Hours are 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays. The current display features vintage toys.

Buffalo Township 

Today: Zion United Methodist Church, 438 Bear Creek Road, will host a Vitalant community blood drive from 1 to 7 p.m. at the church family life center. Appointments are recommended. Appointments: 877-258-4725 or 412-209-7000 or visit the Donate Blood button at Vitalant.org and use group code C664. 

Freeport

July 11: Orders are being accepted for a barbeque chicken sale set for 11 a.m. till the food runs out at the Freeport Eagles, 101 Fifth St. Cost: $7.50, includes outdoor grilled chicken and coleslaw. Order deadline: Friday. Orders: 724-295-9979 or on the Eagles’ Facebook page.

Harrison

Tuesdays: Natrona Comes Together Association and coach Jen Pepling will present games and reading programs for children at noon through the end of July in the Natrona Park pavilion.

Kiski Township

Thursday: Kiski Township Planning Commission will meet at 6 p.m. at the township municipal building, 1222A Old State Road. Social distancing will be observed. Those attending encouraged to wear a mask.

Lower Burrell

Mondays through Thursdays: American Legion kitchen will be open for takeout orders from members and guests from 2 to 7 p.m. during July and August at the post, 1100 Wildlife Lodge Road. Friday dinners will resume in September. For a menu, visit facebook.com/post868/. Orders: 724-339-9417  

Plum School District

Today: Plum School Board will conduct the regular meeting at 7 p.m. in the high school library, 900 Elicker Road.

Saxonburg

Today: A free National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) support group for those living with a loved one’s mental illness will meet at 6 p.m. at ABBA House, 320 Main St. The group meets the last Tuesday of each month. No advance registration required. Details: 724-431-0069 or namibutler.org

Tarentum

The Tarentum municipal building is reopened to the public. Hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. weekdays.

West Deer

Friday: West Deer Independent Volunteer Fire Company No. 2 will hold a public hearing at 6 p.m. at the firehall, 2163 Saxonburg Blvd. to discuss the purchase of a Precision Spartan Fire Truck. Public welcome.

Cancellations and changes

Fawn

Alle-Kiski Music Day Camp planned for July 26-31 is canceled due to the covid-19 pandemic. Organizers would like to thank those made donations this year.

Ford City

July 15-18: The Family FunFest sponsored by Ford City Renaissance Community Partnership is canceled.

Aug. 29: The Armstrong County Labor Day Parade and Ethnic Feastival are canceled.

Freeport

September: The annual September By the River festival is canceled.  

Harrison

Aug. 22: The Wine and Food Festival planned at Burtner House is canceled. No decision on the Harvest Festival has been made yet.

Kittanning

July 30 to Aug. 2: The Fort Armstrong Folk Festival is canceled.

Leechburg

Sept. 19: The annual Pink Day festival is canceled.

Leechburg High School Class of 1953 Reunion planned in June is canceled.

Leechburg High School Class of 1960 Reunion planned for August is postponed until Aug. 7, 2021.

Oakmont

Riverview Community Action Corp. is closed for all activities except home delivered meals. Questions: 412-828-1062

Parks Township

Oct. 3: The Cash Giveaway Bash sponsored by Upper Burrell and Parks volunteer fire companies is canceled.

Saxonburg

Sept. 12 and 13: The Saxonburg Festival of the Arts is canceled.

The weekly Mingle on Main events are canceled. Refunds will be sent to vendors who signed up.

Springdale

The annual Springdale Jubilee, parade and fireworks are canceled.

Springdale High School Alumni Association meetings are suspended until further notice. The Monte Carlo night planned for April 25 will be Oct. 3.

Sept. 12: Springdale Volunteer Fire Department has rescheduled the May Cash Bash to be Sept. 12. Current tickets will be honored in September and the Progressive 50/50 will be drawn. Please hold on to your tickets. The fire department thanks you for your understanding and support and urges everyone to stay safe.

Sept. 13: The craft and vendor fair is canceled.

West Deer

West Deer Farmers Market is canceled this year.

July 31 and Aug. 1: West Deer Community Days are canceled.

Aug. 28: The West Deer Police Benefit Golf Scramble that was to be May 1 is rescheduled to be Aug. 28 at Pittsburgh North Golf Course, Richland Township. Cost: $85 per golfer. Registration form: click here.

Vandergrift

Aug. 9: The Festa Italiana is canceled.

Did your neighbor call and check on you, or bring a face mask or groceries? The Stroller wants to recognize those around us who are performing small acts of kindness for others during this stressful time. Send a short, one-paragraph note highlighting someone and how they helped you, your family or your organization to The Stroller at vndnews@tribweb.com.