The Stroller, May 7, 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.

Open house Wednesday at Apollo library

First-timers and regular patrons alike are invited to an open house from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Apollo Memorial Library.

Visitors will be given a tour of the library’s offerings, from the upgraded children’s room to the soon-to-be digitized genealogy section. Refreshments will be served.

“It’s basically going to be a show and tell for the library,” said Beth Moore, library director. “We just hope everyone can come and see what we have to offer.”

The library is putting on the event as a fundraiser for Armstrong County Week of Giving. Any donations exceeding $20 will count toward the organization’s fundraising total for the week. A greater total will lead to a greater match by the Armstrong County Community Foundation.

Tarentum Night Market to kick off the summer season

The monthly Tarentum Night Market events will open the season from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday in the downtown section of the borough.

Businesses will be open and there will be food, crafters, vendors and music.

Volunteers needed at Animal Protectors of Allegheny Valley

Animal Protectors of Allegheny Valley is looking for volunteers to help out at the shelter in New Kensington.

There are opportunities available every day to suit every person including dog and cat care, event and fundraising work, cleaning, maintenance, doggy day outs, fostering, office work and administration.

To offer your time, email volunteer@animalprotectors.net or visit animalprotectors.net.

Calendar

Apollo

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.

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.

Thursday: The Allegheny Valley Salvation Army and Community Center will distribute free grab-and-go lunches from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the center parking lot, 917 Brackenridge Ave. Free grocery items from Walmart and Aldi will be available. Everyone is welcome.

Thursday: Bingo will begin at 7:15 p.m. at the American Legion, 845 First Ave. Details: 724-994-6030.

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.

Gilpin

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

Harrison

Today: 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: Local musician Nick Guckert will perform at 7 p.m. in the Yakaon Shelter at Harrison Hills Park, Parks Lane, Natrona Heights, weather permitting. The concert is part of the free Allegheny County Park Acoustic Series. A short trail walk with park rangers will be from 6 to 6:30 p.m. Bring a chair or blanket and snacks.

Wednesday: The Anime Club at Community Library of Allegheny Valley will meet from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the library, 1522 Broadview Blvd. Details: alleghenyvalleylibrary.org.

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.

Thursday: Burtner House Restoration Society will meet at 6:30 p.m. at the Harrison Township municipal building, 1 Municipal Drive. Preparations for the annual strawberry festival will be discussed. New members welcome.

Jefferson Township

Thursday: Bingo will be at 6:30 p.m. at the American Legion, 754 N. Pike Road. Doors open at 5 p.m. The kitchen will be open. Proceeds benefit post and auxiliary projects.

Kiski Township 

May 18: Kiski Township Volunteer Fire Department will host a spring bingo at 7 p.m. at the firehall, 1037 Route 56. Proceeds will benefit the Back to School Carnival planned for Aug. 24. Doors open at 6 p.m. Cost: $25, includes six regular games that pay $50; three specials that pay $100; and a $1,000 must-go jackpot. The kitchen will be open. Details and tickets: Barb, 724-953-4006.

May 18: Boy Scout Troop 589 is accepting table reservations for a yard sale set for 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Apollo Spring Church Sportsman Club, 1945 Route 56. Setup will be at 7 a.m. Cost: yard sale spaces, $15; vendor and crafters, $25. Spaces are 8-foot wide and do not include a table. Reservations: send your name, phone number and how many and what type of spaces are requested with a check payable to Troop 589 to Carrie Shank, Troop 589, 1134 Old State Road, Apollo PA 15613. Details: Tracy, 724-420-6758, or Carrie, 724-448-9639 or cjshank@comcast.net.

Leechburg

Saturdays: The Leechburg Area Museum is closed for the season. Appointments during the off-season: 724-845-8914 and leave a message or email lamahs@windstream.net.

McCandless

Wednesday: The Sealarks Women’s Group will meet at 1 p.m. at Memorial Park Church, 8800 Peebles Road. Carol Kunz will present “The Underground Railroad.” The group provides Christian fellowship and social activity for women who are widowed, divorced or never married. New members welcome. Details and reservations: Edie, 412-487-7194.

New Kensington

Wednesday : A spaghetti dinner fundraiser to benefit youth activities at the Salvation Army will be at 5:30 p.m. at the center, 255 Third St. Cost: $9 per plate, includes beverage. Dine-in only. There will be entertainment and a bake sale. Reservations encouraged. Reservations: 724-335-7221.

Thursday: Knead Community Café will hand out free grab-and-go meals from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the cafe, 1011 Barnes St. This week’s meals are sponsored by Karen and Dennis Cadwell. Details: 878-847-7997.

Thursday: New Kensington Eagles Auxiliary Bingo will be at 7 p.m. at the aerie, 2134 Freeport Road. Doors open at 5 p.m. Sales are from 6 to 6:50 p.m. Cost: $25 for a 12-on package; specials will be available. The kitchen will be open. Public welcome. Details: 724-448-7403.

North Apollo

Thursday: A skate night to benefit the David Leech Elementary School PTA in Leechburg will be from 6 to 8 p.m. at Valarena Sk8 Land, 320 18^th St. Admission: $6; skate rental, $3. The PTA will receive $3 from each admission.

Oakmont

Today: 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

Today: 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.

Saxonburg

Thursday: The dementia caregiver support group at South Butler Community Library will meet from 6 to 7 p.m. at the library, 240 W. Main St. The group meets the second Thursday of each month and provides a safe place for caregivers to share their feelings and discuss their day-to-day challenges. No reservations required. Details: Michelle Govan, RN, 724-504-5512.

Springdale 

Thursday: 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 Thursday.

Thursday: The diaper pantry at St. Mark Lutheran Church will distribute free diapers from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the church, 600 Pittsburgh St. Advance registration required. First-time recipients must provide their own ID, the child’s birth certificate and a current WIC or SNAP card. Distributions are the second and fourth Thursdays of each month. Registration: 724-274-5313.

Through May 11: Pucketos Garden Club will sponsor a community seed exchange during library hours at Springdale Free Public Library, 331 School St. Bring a packet of seeds and take one. There will be a variety of herbs, vegetables and flowers. Details: 724-274-9729.

May 11: Springdale Free Public Library will host “Dig Into Gardening” for children in kindergarten through sixth grade from noon to 2 p.m. at the library, 331 School St. Children will make STEM projects and crafts. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-274-9729.

May 15: Springdale Free Public Library, 331 School St., will sponsor a lecture with Meghan C. Benedict, author of “The Scandalous Madden Sisters.” The book is set in the 1900s in the Lawrenceville section of Pittsburgh. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-274-9729.

Tarentum

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: https://elks644.org/elks-kitchen-1. Orders: 724-226-1644 by 8:15 p.m.

Wednesdays and Saturdays: The Alle-Kiski Valley Historical Society, 224 E. Seventh Ave., is open from noon to 3 p.m. and other times by appointment. Details: 724-224-7666.

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.

Wednesday: Vandergrift Public Library will host Toddler Time, a program for children 4 and younger and their caregiver, at 11 a.m. at the library, 128C Washington Ave. This month’s theme will be the circus. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-568-2212.

Washington Township

Wednesday: Alcoholics Anonymous will meet at 6 p.m. at Union Presbyterian Church, 656 Route 380.

Wednesday: Poke Run Presbyterian Church will host its free monthly Soup for the Soul luncheon at noon at the church, 1091 Poke Run Church Road. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. Details: 724-327-5563.

West Deer

Wednesday: East Union Presbyterian Church will have spaghetti dinner from 4 to 7 p.m. at the church, 292 East Union Road. Dine in or takeout. Menu: spaghetti with choice of meat, marinara, meatball, clam or mushroom sauce, salad, rolls and dessert. Donations will be accepted via cash or Venmo. Details: 724-265-1381.

Winfield

Thursday: The Matrona Family Resource Center at Cabot Church, 707 Winfield Road, will be open from 6 to 8 p.m. New and gently used clothing in sizes preemie through 10/12 will be available, as well as strollers, car seats, toys and more. No reservations required. Details: 724-524-1809 or to donate visit tinyurl.com/mw9kd9cp.