The Stroller, June 8, 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 to local students over the summer

The Pittsburgh Food Bank will offer free grab-and-go free meals June 10 to Aug. 16 to children 18 and younger at several locations in the Kiski Valley.

No registration is required. Locations and meals available are:

• Apollo Memorial Library, 219 N. Pennsylvania Ave., lunch, 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 a.m. Tuesdays June 11 through Aug. 13.

• Kepple Hill Park, 1116 Dalmation Drive, Parks Township, lunch, 11:30 a.m. to noon Wednesdays June 12 to Aug. 14.

• Kiskimere Park, 1149 Johnson St., Parks Township, lunch 11:30 a.m. to noon Fridays June 14 to Aug. 16.

• Leechburg High School cafeteria, 200 Siberian Ave., breakfast and lunch weekdays, June 11 to Aug. 15.

• North Vandergrift Park, 1206 Jefferson St., Parks Township, lunch, 11:30 a.m. to noon Mondays June 10 to Aug. 12.

For more information and updates, visit pittsburghfoodbank.org/summer.

Water donations welcome at New Kensington fire station

Donations of bottled water are being accepted from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily at New Kensington Volunteer Fire Department No. 1, 785 Fourth Ave.

Water keeps the volunteer hydrated while they fight fires. All donations are greatly appreciated.

Free advice available for those with financial troubles

Allegheny Valley Association of Churches has free support services available for anyone who is having trouble making ends meet, is unemployed or needs help with budgeting and talking to bill collectors.

For information, call Michelle at 724-226-0606, ext. 16.

Calendar

Arnold 

Today: The American Legion will meet at 1 p.m. at its new location in the council chambers room of Arnold City Hall, 601 Drey St. Officers will be elected at 1 p.m. followed by the regular meeting at 2. Details: Commander Gill Thomas, 724-681-0329.

June 23: New Kensington Eagles Auxiliary will host a super bingo at 2 p.m. at St. Vladimir Ukrainian Catholic Church social hall, 1601 Kenneth Ave. Doors open at noon. There will be 14 regular games that pay $100; five specials, and a must-go $1,000 jackpot game; silent auction, small games of chance and a 50-50. Snacks, pop and water will be sold. No alcohol permitted. Cost: $40 in advance, includes lunch and bingo package. No seats can be saved. Proceeds will benefit club charities. Tickets: text or leave a voice message, Gina, 724-889-5889, or Linda, 412-389-6300; or at the door if available.

Aspinwall

Today: A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be at 2 p.m. to kickoff the grand opening festival at Allegheny RiverTrail Park, 285 River Ave. There will be food trucks, family programs, vendors and two stages with music. Details: Alleghenyrivertrailpark.org.

Avonmore

Today: A bingo to benefit the Avonmore Senior Center will begin at 1 p.m. at the center, 458 Railroad Ave. Doors open at 11 a.m. Packets must be picked by 12:30 p.m. and early birds will begin at 12:45 p.m. There will be a 50-50 raffle, 14 regular games, five specials and a $300 last jackpot game. Cost: $25 before Friday; at the door, $30 door, cash only. Tickets: 724-697-4014.

Brackenridge

Sunday: A super bingo will be at 2 p.m. at the American Legion, 845 E. First Ave. Doors open at noon. Cost: $40, in advance; $45, at the door; includes light lunch and bingo package. There will be quickies, a silent auction, instant tickets and a 50-50. Proceeds will benefit Lula’s Angels team that will compete at the Junior Olympics. Tickets: text or call Brittany, 724-980-7667; or Maria, 412-478-9589.

Clinton Township

Today: Butler VA Health Care System will host a women veterans retreat from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at J & J Animal Sanctuary, 939 Ekastown Road. All veterans and their families welcome. There will be activities for the whole family including interaction with the animals at the farm and information about VA services will be available. Details: 878-271-6989.

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 

Today: A spaghetti dinner will be 4 to 7 p.m. at Freeport United Methodist Church social hall, 211 Fourth St. Sponsored by Freeport Kiwanis, proceeds will benefit the club scholarship program. Cost: $10; younger than 10, $5.

Harrison 

Today: The Diaper Pantry at Christ Our Hope Anglican Church will distribute diapers from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the church, 926 Painter Ave., and at Sheldon Park, both in Natrona Heights. Recipients must drive up and remain in their vehicles. First-time recipients must provide their own identification, the child’s birth certificate and a current WIC or SNAP card.

June 14: St. Joseph High School is selling tickets for its annual Super Raffle. Cost: $100. The drawing will be June 14 at the school golf outing. Winner need not be present. Tickets support the students at the school. Tickets and information: Debbie Beresik, 724-226-7872.

Jefferson

Sunday: Concordia Haven Retirement Apartments will host a free concert by the Penn-Trafford Community Band at 4 p.m. on the patio behind Haven II, 148 Marwood Road, entrance 5. In case of inclement weather, the concert will be in the Haven 1 dining room. Tours of the facility will be available at 3 p.m. Registration is encouraged, but walk-ins are welcome. Registration: Kassie Walker, 724-352-1571, ext. 8273, or kwalker@concordialm.org.

Kiski Township 

Today: A strawberry festival will be from 4 to 7 p.m. at Boiling Springs Presbyterian Church, 1668 Route 56. Menu: ham barbeque or sloppy joe, macaroni salad, baked beans, strawberry shortcake with ice cream, $11. Dine in or takeout. Details: 724-478-1523.

Leechburg

Monday: Leechburg Volunteer Fire Company will host bingo at 7 p.m. at the firehall, 268 Canal St. Doors open at 5 p.m. The kitchen will be open.

Lower Burrell   

Today: Lower Burrell Volunteer Fire Department No. 3 will host a food truck rally from 1 to 6 p.m. at the firehall, 3255 Leechburg Road. There will be a basket raffle, a free children’s area, covered outdoor seating and free parking.

Today: The ClothesLine Ministry at Bethesda Lutheran Church, 3084 Leechburg Road, will be open from 9 a.m. to noon. Clothing, shoes and purses will be sold for 25 cents each or five for $1. A bridal gown is available for $50. The jewelry room will be open. Please bring your own bags.

Today: The Joseph “Bud” Myers Farmers Market will be open from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Bon Air School parking lot, 3260 Leechburg Road.

June 20: The Alle-Kiski chapter of the American Wine Society will meet at 7 p.m. Featured speaker Domenic Mantello from Allora Wine Group will discuss from the Piedmont region of northern Italy. There will be a tasting and food pairing with six wines. Cost: $47. Reservations required. Reservations: allekiski@yahoo.com.

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: Animal Protectors of Allegheny Valley will sponsor a yard sale from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the shelter, 730 Church St. Rain or shine. Details: animalprotectors.net.

Today: A block party and barbecue will be from noon to 6 p.m. at Building Communities of Recovery, 408 Eighth St. There will be a DJ, games, prizes, food, and dancing. Cost: $10. Details: 724-212-7899.

Monday: Peoples Library will host “Construction Crew,” an hour of play with building supplies, at 1 p.m. at the library, 880 Barnes St. Details: 724-339-1021.

Wednesday: A veterans service officer will be available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the office of state Rep. Jill Cooper, 356 Freeport St., suite 100. Services available will include disability and pension claims, benefit questions, assisting spouses with survivor benefits issues and applications for veterans grants. Appointments will be accepted, but walk-ins are welcome. Appointments: 724-472-4102.

Wednesday: The Corner Launchbox, 701 Fifth Ave., will offer “Meet the Lenders” from 10 a.m. to noon at the center. The free in-person workshop by the Small Business Administration and Saint Vincent College Small Business Development Center will discuss turning your passion into a small business. Reservations required. Reservations: tinyurl.com/59bm6ry9.

Oakmont

Sunday: A service to celebrate the church’s 150^th anniversary will be at 10:30 a.m. at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 378 Delaware Ave.

June 15: Oakmont Carnegie Library will offer “Pop Culture Cross Stitch” for teens and adults at noon at the library. No experience necessary. A variety of patterns in different skill levels will be available. Reservations required by noon Friday. Reservations: oakmontlibrary.org.

Parks Township

Sunday: Parks Township Sportsman’s Club will have a country music jam night from 5 to 8 p.m. at the club, 1111 Shipman Road. Bring your favorite stringed instrument and sing along. Refreshments available. Public welcome. Details: 724-845-2390.

Plum

Today: A summer movie night will be at dusk at Plum Amphitheater, 2000 Mike Thomas Way. The featured film will be “Paw Patrol – the Mighty Movie.” Bring a blanket. There will be pre-show children’s activities, the Kona Ice truck and free popcorn.

Sunday: The Fund for Advancement of Minorities through Education (FAME) will host a 5K run/walk at 9 a.m. at Boyce Park Ski Lodge. Proceeds provide need-based merit scholarships and academic resources. Registration will be from 7 to 8:45 a.m. Strollers and furry friends on leashes welcome. There will be an awards ceremony, music, post-race drinks and snacks. Cost: 5K run, $30; 1-mile walk, $20. Details: tinyurl.com/mr2ux2ne.

Monday: The Monday Market will be open from 3 to 7 p.m. at Plum Creek Park and ball fields, 1040 Ross Hollow Road. There will be vendors and food trucks.

Springdale

Sunday: A spaghetti dinner to benefit Feed the Flock Ministries will be from 4 to 7 p.m. at Springdale Veterans Association, 1151 Pittsburgh St. Cost: $10, cash only. There will be music, a bake sale, basket raffle and 50-50. Dine in or takeout. Reservations encouraged, but not required. Reservations: feedtheflocks@gmail.com.

Monday: The Knotty Knitters group at Springdale Free Public Library will meet at noon at the library, 331 School St. The group meets the first and third Saturdays of the month. Bring your unfinished knitting or crocheting project. All skill levels welcome. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-274-9729.

July 6: Volunteers, food trucks and vendors are needed for this year’s Springdale Community Day planned 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the 800 block of Lincoln Ave. Details: 724-274-6269.

Tarentum

Today: Summit Host Fire Department will host a community cookout from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the fire station, 321 E. Seventh Ave. Menu: hot dogs, cheeseburgers, nachos, fries and jumbo chicken wings. Dine in, takeout and delivery available. Orders: 724-224-2555.

Today: The Clothing Closet at Central Presbyterian Church, 305 Allegheny St., will be open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The church is conducting a clothing drive through June 29. Clean clothes, belts, shoes and purses in any condition will be accepted during the Clothing Closet on Saturdays. Alternate drop-off and pickup times: 724-882-2185.

Sunday and Tuesday: Alcoholics Anonymous will meet from 7 to 8 p.m. at Central Presbyterian Church, 305 Allegheny St. An opportunity for silent prayer will be at 6:30 p.m.

Ongoing: Tarentum Area Lions Club has a variety of styles of brooms for sale. Types available include soft and hard bristle push brooms, $16; kitchen brooms, $13; heavier duty mill brooms, $15; children’s brooms, $8; and whisk brooms, $8. Details: Jody Shumaker, 724-954-2341; Donna Holsing, 724-899-6277 or send a message to Tarentum Area Lions Club on Facebook. Proceeds benefit local and global Lions charities.

Vandergrift

Wednesday: A free workshop with Pa. CareerLink will be from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at Vandergrift Public Library, 128C Washington Ave. Learn how to navigate the CareerLink website for your job search. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-568-2212.