The Stroller, March 23, 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.

Tickets on sale for benefit concert in Harmar

Blue Force Foundation will sponsor a concert to benefit the family of fallen Brackenridge Police Chief Justin McIntire April 1 at Futules Harmar House, 1321 Freeport Road, Harmar.

Doors open at 6 p.m. and there will be a cocktail hour until 8 p.m. when dinner will be served. Music will be by Ricky Manning and the Donnie Irish Band. There will be a cash bar, raffles and a 50/50. Admission is $45; children, $20 and includes dinner.

For tickets, visit tinyurl.com/4dffdcbr.

Donations welcome for Easter meals, treats

Allegheny Valley Association of Churches Food Bank is accepting donations that will be used to create specially prepared treat bags with a gift card to be used for the purchase of an Easter meal for our neighbors in need.

Each basket costs $15. Checks made out to AVAC Food Bank can be sent to AVAC, 1913 Freeport Road, Natrona Heights PA 15065. Donations will be acknowledged.

A-K Cager Classic event planned Friday and Saturday

The 26^th annual A-K Valley Cager Classic basketball event will be Friday and Saturday at Highlands High School, Harrison.

Players from 22 local high schools will have a skills night at 7 p.m. Friday and the games will be Saturday. The girls game will begin at 5:15 p.m. with the boys game at approximately 7:15.

Admission is $6; students, $4, at the door.

Calendar

Allegheny Township

Saturday: Animal Protectors of Allegheny Valley will host, “Chocolate Paws,” an evening of chocolate from 6 to 9 p.m. at River Forest Country Club. There will be a pasta bar, chocolate desserts, sample chocolate mixed drinks, a cash bar, basket auction and 50-50 raffle. Cost: $40. Tickets: 724-339-7388 or animalprotectors.net/events.html.

Apollo

Today: 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. to knit, crochet, embroider or cross stitch. All ages and skill levels welcome. Details: 724-478-4214.

Friday: St. James Church, 109 Owens View Ave., will have Stations of the Cross at 7 p.m. at the church. Public welcome.

April 1: Apollo Area Historical Society Museum, 317 N. Second St., is closed for the season and will reopen April 1. Visits now available by appointment. Appointments: 724-478-2849 or 724-212-9255.

Arnold

Friday: St. Vladimir Church, 1610 Kenneth Ave., is accepting orders for its pierogi sale. Varieties: potato or sauerkraut. Pickup: 12:30 to 4 p.m. Fridays in the church social hall. Cost: $12 per dozen. Orders: 724-339-9257, 8 to 10 a.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Friday: The Tomb will sponsor Freedom Fridays for students age 12 to 17 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the center, 1821 Fifth Ave. There will be praise worship, games, movies, karaoke, drinks and snacks. Free admission.

Saturday: The Tomb, 1821 Fifth Ave., will feature Chuck Sessa in concert at 8 p.m. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Details: 724-339-8888.

Bethel 

Saturday : The Outdoor Discovery Center at Crooked Creek will offer a program, “Life in a Vernal Pond,” from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the center, 142 Kerr Road. Naturalist April Claus will discuss breeding pools and the behavior of amphibians. Recommended for those 15 and older. Cost: $25. Reservations required. Reservations: armstrongodc.org.

Brackenridge

Today: 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 welcome.

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

Buffalo Township

April 3: Buffalo Elementary School PTO is conducting a Sarris candy sale through April 3. Orders: sarriscandiesfundraising.com and enter group code 10-1588.

Ford City 

Saturday : The Arrowhead Chapter of Trout Unlimited will have its annual fundraiser banquet at 6 p.m. at the 10 Street Station, 301 10^th St. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. Cost: $35; 12 and younger, $10, includes appetizers, buffet dinner, open bar, coffee, tea and soft drinks. There will be raffle prizes for all members of the family. Tickets: Allegheny Bait and Tackle in Tarentum, or call Chad at 724-422-8471.

Frazer

April 1: The New Kensington Camera Club and Focus on the Arts Gallery will offer a free workshop, “Lightbox Photography,” from 1 to 4 p.m. in suite 208 at Pittsburgh Mills Mall. Use Entry 2 by M@C Discount. Andy Benton will be the instructor. Bring your camera or smartphone. Reservations are encouraged, but not required. Reservations: comment on the event posting at Focus On The Arts Gallery on Facebook.

Gilpin 

Today: Gilpin Volunteer Fire Department will host bingo at 7:15 p.m. at the firehall, 113 Firehall Road.

Harrison 

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.

Saturday : A purse bash to benefit Life Changing Service Dogs for Veterans will be from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Veterans of Foreign Wars, 894 Veterans Lane. Doors open at 11 a.m. and lunch will be served at noon. Cost: $35, includes lunch. Must be at least 18. There will be a cash bar, silent auction, pick of the table, and a 50-50. Tickets: Deb, 412-298-6175 or Stacy, 412-882-4256.

Jefferson

Today: Bingo will be at 6:30 p.m. at the American Legion, 754 N. Pike Road. Doors open at 5 p.m. Under new management with higher payouts. The kitchen will be open. Proceeds benefit post and auxiliary projects.

Saturday: A rummage and bake sale will be from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the American Legion, 754 N Pike Road. Lunch will be available.

Kiski Township 

Saturday: Boiling Springs Presbyterian Church, 1668 Route 56, will serve a Swiss steak dinner from 4 to 7 p.m. at the church. Dine in or takeout. Cost: $10; younger than 6, free. Details: 724-478-1523.

Sunday : A gun bash will begin at noon at Kiski Township Volunteer Firehall, 1037 Route 56. Doors open at 11 a.m. Cost: $25, includes two numbers for the drawing, food and drink. There will small games of chance and a 50-50. Tickets: Christine, 724-541-6345.

Leechburg

Today: A New Path Al-Anon Family Group, a free, confidential program for anyone whose life has been affected by someone else’s drinking, will meet at 7 p.m. online for the winter months. Details: tinyurl.com/yp6hd8zn.

Friday: A movie night for children in kindergarten through fourth grade will be from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Leechburg Public Library, 129 Market St. The featured film will be, “Trolls,” rated PG. Details: 724-236-0080.

Fridays through March 31: The Leechburg Ministerial Association will host Lenten lunches Fridays at 11:45 a.m. in the social hall of Cross Roads Community Presbyterian Church, 251 Main St. Donations will be accepted.

Lower Burrell 

Saturday: The Veterans of Foreign Wars will feature an open juke box from 8 to 11 p.m. at the post. The scheduled band had to cancel. Members and three guests welcome.

Sunday : Penn State New Kensington Alumni Society will host a bowl-a-thon at 1 p.m. at Wildlife Lanes, Wildlife Lodge Road. Cost: $25, includes three games and shoe rental. Sponsorship opportunities are available. Proceeds will benefit the society’s scholarship fund. Details: 412-417-4033.

New Kensington

Today: Knead Community Café in New Kensington will hand out free grab-and-go meals from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the café, 1011 Barnes St. This week’s meals are sponsored by Nick Chevrolet. Details:878-847-7997.

Today: 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.

March 29: The Myrrh Bearing Women of St. George Orthodox Church are accepting orders for a sweets sale. Menu: baklawa, $14 for a 10-piece wedge; sambosic, $3 each. Order deadline is today. Pickup: noon to 2 p.m. March 29 in the church hall, 1150 Leishman Ave. Quantities are limited. Orders: 724-337-3918.

May 13: Vendor applications are being accepted by Knead Community Café for an outdoor May Market at the café, 1011 Barnes St. Vendors who sell homemade, natural-based or garden-themed products welcome. Rain or shine. Details: Kathy, 878-999-8680 or kneadcommunitycafe.org/mothernaturesmarket.

Oklahoma Borough  

Saturday : Miss Thea’s Drag Queen Bingo will be at 7 p.m. at Oklahoma School House Hall, 171 Thorn Ave. Doors open at 5 p.m. Must be 21 to attend. Cost: $30 in advance; $35 at the door; includes food and eight regular games. BYOB There will be small games of chance, a silent auction and 50-50. Proceeds benefit Oklahoma and Vandergrift No. 2 volunteer fire departments. Tickets: Tammy, 724-472-3429 or Heather, 412-972-0690.

Saxonburg

Saturday and Sunday: South Butler Community Library will host a book sale from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday at the library, 240 W. Main St. Cost: $5 per bag.

Springdale 

Today: 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.

Tarentum

Today: The free diaper bank at Highlands Family Center, 415 E. Fourth Ave., will be open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. One distribution per child per month is available. Details: 724-224-9006.

Today: Central Presbyterian Church is having a Lenten Bible study series, “Jesus Through the Centuries,” at 1 p.m. Thursdays through March 30 at the church, 305 Allegheny St. Details: 724-224-9220.

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.

Saturday: Alle-Kiski Historical Society and Heritage Museum will offer a free workshop to help people write their memoirs from 10 a.m. to noon at the museum, 224 E. Seventh Ave. The workshops will be offered monthly. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-224-7666.

Saturday: The Clothing Closet at Central Presbyterian Church, 305 Allegheny St., will be open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Details: 724-224-9220.

Vandergrift  

Fridays: Kiski Area Association of Churches will host Lenten lunches from noon to 1 p.m. Fridays through April 7 at Vandergrift Presbyterian Church, 195 Washington Ave. There will be a short devotional message by a local pastor and a presentation by a representative from a different agency and ministry that serves the community. Lunch of soup and sandwiches will be served afterward. Donations will be accepted to benefit the association’s ministries. No reservations required.

Friday: An art show and auction to benefit Tiny Cause Animal Rescue will be from 5 to 7 p.m. at The Center on Franklin Ave., 262 Franklin Ave. Art pieces were created by the students of Willow Tree Academy in Vandergrift.

Saturday: Bingo will begin at 7 p.m. at the Veterans of Foreign Wars, 141-143 Sumner Ave. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.

March 31: Vandergrift Public Library is raffling a quilt made and donated by library patron Jane Strohm to benefit the library. Cost: $1 each; $5 for 10; and $10 for 25 tickets. The drawing will be March 31. Cash, check or PayPal accepted. Details and a photo of the quilt: Vandergriftpubliclibrary.org. Tickets: stop in at the library, 128C Washington Ave.

April 22: St. Gertrude Parish Men’s Club is selling tickets for a night at the races set for 6 p.m. in the church hall, 303 Franklin Ave. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Cost: $20, includes food, beverages and a horse. Tickets: 724-568-2331.

Washington Township

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.

Friday and Saturday: Union Presbyterian Church will sponsor its annual rummage sale from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the church, 656 Route 380. Lunch and early dinner will be available. Jewelry, furniture and antiques will be priced; other items by donation. Details: 724-337-3042.

West Leechburg

Saturday: A cash bash to benefit the Apollo-Ridge Touchdown Club will be from 4 to 9 p.m. at West Leechburg Fireman’s Recreation Hall, Gosser Street. Dinner will be at 5 p.m. and drawings will begin at 6 p.m. Cost: $20, includes food and beverages. Tickets: Megan, 724-316-5053 or Fox’s Pizza, 724-478-3603.