The Stroller, May 19, 2022: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley

Publicize your community events, fundraisers and club meetings for free in The Stroller. Send information at least a week in advance to vndnews@triblive.com. Please include a daytime telephone number.

Touch-a Truck planned at Highlands High School

Harrison Township Recreation Board will sponsor at touch-a-truck event from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday at Highlands High School, Natrona Heights.

There will be food trucks, children’s activities, and a trackless ride-on train.

Community outreach planned Saturday in Natrona

Building Block of Natrona will host its free Veggies for All and Cosmetics Closet outreach for residents in need at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 28 Garfield St., Natrona.

Free produce and personal care and hygiene products will be distributed, first come, first served, until supplies run out. No income verification required. Masks are optional and everyone is welcome.

Calendar

Allison Park

Friday: The Pittsburgh North chapter of the Women’s Business Network will meet at 9 a.m. at Parkwood United Presbyterian Church, 4289 Mt. Royal Blvd. Those attending can learn how the group supports the success and growth of women in business. Meetings are the first and third Fridays of the month. Reservations required. Reservations and sign-on information: Kathy Bell, 412-855-0578.

Apollo

Saturday: St. James Parish will host a patriotic bingo at the church activities center, 109 Owens View Ave. Doors open at 5 p.m. and bingo begins at 7 p.m. Admission: $30, includes supplies, food and drinks. There will be instant tickets, a basket raffle and a $1,500 cover-all jackpot game. Attendees must be 21 or older and are encouraged to wear red, white and blue. Tickets and more information: Linda at 724-882-8776.

Avonmore

Saturday: A book sale, doughnut sale and basket raffle will be at 8 a.m. at Avonmore Library, 619 Allegheny Ave. Cost: books, $5 per bag; doughnuts, $1 each. Orders will be accepted for hoagies and brownies.

Bethel

Monday: The Knee High To Nature Series at the Outdoor Discovery Center at Crooked Creek will offer a free science program, “Awesome Opossums,” for children in elementary school at 6 p.m. at the center, 142 Kerr Road. Reservations required. Reservations: armstrongcenter.org/odc-events.

Brackenridge

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

Ford City

Saturday: A book sale to benefit Armstrong County Libraries will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Ford City Eagles, 420 O’Connor St. Items available will include books, DVDs, games, puzzles and more. Proceeds will benefit Apollo Memorial, Ford City, Kittanning and Worthington-West Franklin libraries.

Freeport 

Tuesday: St. Mary Mother of God Church, 608 High St., will host a Vitalant community blood drive from 1 to 6 p.m. in the church hall. Appointments recommended. Appointments: 412-209-7000 or visit donateblood.centralbloodbank.org and use group code G0040286.

Gilpin

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

Harmar

Friday: The 20-piece Shriners Stage Band will perform swing music from the 30’s through the 60s from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Syria Shrine Ballroom, 1877 Shriners Way. Admission: $5. Proceeds benefit Shriners projects.

Harrison

Today: Natrona Heights Veterans of Foreign Wars will host a car and bike cruise from 5 to 9 p.m. at the post, 894 Veterans Lane. Weather permitting. There will be food, music and a 50/50 raffle.

Friday: The new Discovering Family Roots group at Community Library of Allegheny Valley will meet from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at the library, 1522 Broadview Blvd. Share ideas with others, learn new research tips, and see what research resources are available in the library local history department. Reservations required. Reservations: visit the calendar tab at alleghenyvalleylibrary.org.

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: Friends of Harrison Hills Park will meet at 10 a.m. in the park Environmental Learning Center, Freeport Road, Natrona Heights. Registration requested. Registration: friendsofharrisonhills@gmail.com.

Saturday: A karaoke night will be from 8 p.m. to midnight at the Veterans of Foreign Wars, 894 Veterans Lane. Members and guests welcome.

Wednesday : The Kitchen Sink Book Club at Community Library of Allegheny Valley will meet at 6 p.m. at the library, 1522 Broadview Blvd. The selection will be, “The Crossing,” by Michael Connelly. Online participation available. Reservations required. Reservations: tinyurl.com/3syh626f.

Kiski Township

Saturday: A pancakes and pajama party will be from 4 to 7 p.m. at Apollo Free Methodist Church, 1027 Route 56. Sponsored by the church Kidz Blast, there will be pancakes and toppings; games and a craft. Pajamas optional but encouraged. Details: 724-478-3025.

Saturday: A chicken and biscuit dinner will be served from 4 to 6 p.m. at Spring Church Lutheran Church, 3623 Lutheran Church Road. Cost: $10; age 6 to 12, $5; younger than 5, free; takeouts available for 50 cents extra. Handicap accessible. Details and takeout orders: 724-478-1528.

Kittanning

Saturday and Sunday: Armstrong County Historical Museum and Genealogical Society will host a free living history weekend from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the museum, 300 N. McKean St., Kittanning. French and Indian War reenactors Proctor’s Militia will be at the museum on Saturday and the 62nd Pa. Volunteer Infantry Living History Family will be there Sunday. A children’s storytime will be at 2 p.m. both days and there will be talks, demonstrations and displays. Free parking available on Vine and McKean streets and behind the museum via the North Grant Avenue entrance.

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. in First United Methodist Church, 251 Main St. Face masks and social distancing required.

Today: The free genealogy group at Leechburg Area Museum and Historical Society will meet from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the museum, 118 First St. Basic computer skills and face masks required. Ancestry.com and Newspaper.com are available. Details: Judy, 724-681-9154.

Saturday: Cross Roads Community Presbyterian Church will have its free takeout monthly Pot Love Dinner at noon at the church, 271 Main St. Reservations required by noon Friday. There is a one dinner per family member limit. Those with reservations will be served first. Line-up will be outside. Everyone is welcome. Reservations: 724-845-1901 or church@crcpc.org.

Saturday: The Clothing Closet at First Lutheran Church, 358 Main St., will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. All items are 20 cents each. Customers should wear a face mask and bring a bag. Clothing donations welcome.

May 28: Leechburg Public Library is selling chances to win a summer basket that includes a pool bag, four pool towels, four commemorative cups and a Leechburg Pool pass for a family of four. Drawing will be Memorial Day weekend. Tickets: $10, available at the library, 139 Market St.

Lower Burrell

Saturday: A food truck festival will be from 1 to 6 p.m. at Lower Burrell Volunteer Fire Co. No. 3, 3255 Leechburg Road. A percentage of sales benefits the fire company.

Saturday: A luncheon bingo will be at 1 p.m. at the Moose, 499 Reimer St. Doors open at 11 a.m. Admission includes lunch at 12:30 p.m., 15 games that win $20 each; four specials that win $30 each; and a $100 must-go jackpot. Details: 724-335-4131.

Saturday: The Veterans of Foreign Wars will feature karaoke with DJ Zombie from 8 to 11 p.m. at the post. Members and three guests welcome.

May 28 to Oct. 8: The Lower Burrell Farmers Market is seeking vendors for the upcoming season. Markets are from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays at 2800 Bethel St. Setup begins at 8 a.m. Cost: $40 for the season and free electric is available. Merchandise must be home grown, homemade or hand crafted. Vendors must participate the whole season. Details: TimPamKey@yahoo.com.

New Kensington

Fridays: A new 4-H Club for children age 5 to 18 is being organized and plans to meet from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at The River Church, 200 Freeport Road. Details: Mary or Laura Stone at DMStone6@westelcom.com.

Today: The Secular Organization for Sobriety/Save Our Selves (SOS) a support group for people recovering from alcohol and drug abuse, will meet a 7 p.m. at Lost Dreams Awakening Recovery Community Center, 408 Eighth St. Details: 724-556-0737.

Today: Heritage Hospice will host a free Grief Support group for those who have suffered the loss of a loved one from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the center, 2400 Leechburg Road, building 300. The group meets the third Thursday of each month. Details: Amber, 724-334-6600 or amberhusar@heritagehospicepa.com

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.

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 donated by Highmark Wholecare. Details: 878-847-7997.

Friday and Saturday: East Kensington Community Circle will have a rummage sale from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the community circle building, 1785 Seventh St. There will be a summer basket raffle and the kitchen will be open.

Saturday and Monday: The Community Clothes Closet, 1129 Kenneth Ave., will be open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. First-time customers receive 15 free items. Summer clothing donations accepted during open hours only.

Sunday: River Church, 200 Freeport Road, is accepting registrations for its annual car show. An outdoor worship service will be at 10:45 a.m. and the car show will be afterward. Registration: 724-337-4837 or goriverchurch.com/car-show-2022.

North Apollo

Saturday: A food truck festival with crafters and vendors will be from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at North Apollo Volunteer Firehall, 311 16^th St. There will be a basket auction and 50/50.

Parks 

Today: Parks Township Sportsman Club Association will meet at 7:30 p.m. at the club, 1111 Shipman Road. New members welcome.

Plum  

Saturday: The free Allegheny County Family Drive-in Movie series planned in Boyce Park wave pool parking lot will be, “Over the Hedge,” rated PG. Reservations required. Gates open at 6 p.m. and close at dusk when the movie starts. There is a 100-vehicle limit. Registration: alleghenycounty.us/special-events.

Springdale   

Today: The adult Scrapbooking Club at Springdale Free Public Library will meet at 5:30 p.m. at the library, 331 School St. Details: 724-274-9729.

Monday : The Sherlock Holmes Book Club at Springdale Free Public Library will meet at 6 p.m. at the library, 331 School St. The selection will be, “The Hound of the Baskervilles,” chapters 1 to 4. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-274-9729.

Tuesday : The Tuesday Night Book Club at Springdale Free Public Library will meet at 6:30 p.m. The selection will be, “The Personal Librarian,” by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-274-9729.

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.

Saturday: The Clothing Closet at Central Presbyterian Church, 305 Allegheny St., will be open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. A dollar breakfast will be from 8 a.m. to noon. Details: 724-224-9220.

Vandergrift

Today: The Gathering on Grant event in downtown will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Businesses will be open and there will be music, vendors and games.

Saturday: A rummage sale will be from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Vandergrift Presbyterian Church, 195 Washington Ave. A $2 bag sale will begin at 2 p.m.

Saturday: A game day for children will begin at noon at the stage area of Kennedy Park. There will be kickball, red rover and four square games and a chance to win a gift card. Parents are encouraged to stay and participate. Sponsored Vandergrift Owls and Vandergrift Parent Project.

June 2: Vendor applications are being accepted for the Vandergrift Farmers Market planned from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Thursdays June 2 through Oct. 13 in the Columbia Avenue parking lot. Details: VIP15690@comcast.net.

Washington Township

Today: Union Presbyterian Church, 656 Route 380, will host a seminar on human trafficking at 6:30 p.m. at the church. Public welcome.

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.

West Deer

Today and Friday: St. Michael Church, Curtisville, will sponsor a flea market from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the church, Liberty Street. Items will include collectibles, art, ethnic items, books, souvenirs, icons, fabrics and plants. Details: 724-265-1005.

Saturday: Deer Lakes Youth Lacrosse will host a comedy night fundraiser at West Deer Fire Hall No. 1, 1520 Saxonburg Blvd. Doors open at 6 p.m., dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m. and the show starts at 7:30. David Kaye, Sean Collier and Trey McDonough will be the featured performers. Cost: $40, includes dinner buffet and draft beer. There will be a basket raffle and 50/50. Must be 21 to attend. BYOB. Tickets: slapsticksproductions.com. Details: 412-920-5653.