The Stroller, Nov. 12, 2020: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley

Is your church or organization going to host a community holiday event? Send information to The Stroller as soon as possible to vndnews@tribweb.com. Please include a daytime telephone number.

Annual West Deer toy drive underway

West Deer Police Department is sponsoring its 24rd annual Toys for Children drive to benefit children age 1 to 14 living in low-income households in the Deer Lakes School District.

Cub Scout Pack 965 will drop off bags Saturday throughout West Deer to homes in West Deer and return Nov. 21 to pick bags that contain toys.

New toys can be dropped off from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays through Dec. 8 at the police department, 109 East Union Road. Monetary donations can be sent to West Deer Police Special Programs, 109 East Union Road, Cheswick PA 15024. Money will be used to purchase additional toys, winter clothing and wrapping paper supplies.

For information, email toysforchildren@westdeertownship.com.

TryLife Center accepting donations

The TryLife Center in Lower Burrell is accepting donations of new and gently-used children’s clothing in sizes newborn through 4T, diapers, wipes, bottles, maternity clothes, highchairs, pack n’ plays, walkers and infant seats.

Donations should be dropped off from noon to 6 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays at the red donation door at the center, 1155 Wildlife Lodge Road. Any items left outside of these hours will be exposed to the weather.

Monetary donations are welcome and can be sent to TryLife Center, 1155 Wildlife Lodge Road, Lower Burrell PA 15068. For information, call 724-339-9399.

Let us know about your holiday happenings

The 2020 holiday season will be like no other we have ever seen. Non-profit and community groups are reimagining how to have fundraisers and free events while keeping the public safe from the virus.

The Valley News Dispatch is compiling a list events that will run in the print edition of the paper and online at Triblive.com. Send information to cpinto-smith@triblive.com; or The Stroller, 210 Wood St., Tarentum PA 15084.

Burtner House Christmas tree ornaments now available locally

Burtner House Restoration Society Christmas tree ornaments are now available at the Wellness Center, 1616 Broadview Blvd., The Hairdressers, 2207 Freeport Road, and Danielle’s Hair Salon, 2216 Freeport, Road, all in Natrona Heights, and Diamond Antiques and Gifts, 311 E Sixth Ave., Tarentum.

Ornaments are brass with a gold finish and have an image of the house and Christmas tree with a bicentennial banner and cost $22. Proceeds benefit the Restoration Society.

Harrison diaper pantry plans monthly drive-up distribution

The Diaper Pantry at Christ Our Hope Anglican Church, Harrison, will distribute diapers 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday 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 still provide present their own identification, the child’s birth certificate and a current WIC or SNAP card.

Calendar

Allegheny Township

Saturday: A craft and vendor show will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Markle Volunteer Fire Hall, 470 Joyce St. Face masks and social distancing encourage. Details: 724-727-7114

Apollo

Saturday: A vendor fair will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at St. James Parish Hall, 109 Owens View Ave. Details: 724-478-4958

Dec. 12: Reservations are being accepted for a vendor fair planned for 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at St. James Church Parish Center, 109 Owens View Ave. Table cost: $20 with electricity; $15 without electricity. Face masks and social distancing required. Registration and details: Linda, 724-882-8776

Clinton

Saturday: Westminster Presbyterian Church, 210 Westminster Road, will have a drive-thru Thanksgiving dinner from noon to 4 p.m. or until sold out at the church. Menu: turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing ball, gravy, green beans, rolls and butter and pumpkin pie. Cost: $15, cash only. No reservations required.

Fawn 

Sunday: Space reservations are being accepted for the last Flea-tique of the season set for dawn to 1 p.m. at Tour-Ed Mine, off Bull Creek Road. Toys and monetary donations will be accepted to benefit Toys for Tots. Rain or shine. Sponsored by the Alle-Kiski Valley Historical Society. No pets permitted. Spaces: $30. Reservations and details: fleatique82@gmail.com or 724-224-0178

Harrison 

Saturday: Volunteer Hose Company No. 1 in Natrona will host a takeout spaghetti dinner from 2 to 6 p.m. at the Natrona PNA, 14 Linden St. Menu: spaghetti, salad and rolls, $7. Proceeds will benefit the building fund. Advance orders: Nancy, 724-410-8018

Saturday: Community Library of Allegheny Valley will offer, “Fire and Ice,” at 1 p.m. online for children age 5 to 12. Children will learn about foggy dry ice storms, the power of air and a chemical flashlight. Registration required. Registration: alleghenyvalleylibrary.com

Tuesday: Community Library of Allegheny Valley will present a virtual encore performance of the Who Knew? program, “Winterizing Your Garden,” at 6 p.m. online. Registration required. Registration: 724-226-3491

Nov. 19: Community Library of Allegheny Valley will offer free a program, “Magic Tree House Adventures,” for children in first through fourth grade at 4:30 p.m. online at Zoom.us. This month’s book will be, “Thanksgiving On Thursday.” Registration required. An activity and craft packet can be scheduled for pickup. Registration: 724-226-3491

Leechburg

Today: The annual membership meeting for Lower Kiski Ambulance Service, serving Allegheny Township, Gilpin, Hyde Park, Leechburg and West Leechburg, will be at 6 p.m. in the Leechburg Fire Hall, 268 Canal St. Face masks are required and social distancing will be observed. Public welcome.

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.

Saturday: Leechburg Area Museum is closed for the season. To schedule a private off-season tour or visit, email lamahs@windstream.net

Lower Burrell

Saturday: The Moose Lodge will feature DJ Lisa from 8 p.m. to midnight at the lodge, 499 Reimer St. Members and guests welcome. Details: 724-335-4131

Saturday: The ClothesLine ministry at Bethesda Lutheran Church, 3084 Leechburg Road, will be outdoors from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. In case of inclement weather, the event will be canceled. Cost: clothing, shoes and purses, 25 cents each. Face masks and social distancing are required. Details: ClothesLine on Facebook.

Nov. 18: The Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary is collecting non-perishable food for the Salvation Army through Nov. 18 at the post, 1601 Wildlife Lodge Road. A donation container is in the post canteen.

New Kensington

Friday: Members of the Eagles will celebrate the club anniversary at the aerie, 2134 Freeport Road. A Monte Carlo night with free fish sandwiches will be Friday. Face masks required in the aerie and social distancing will be observed. Indoor and outdoor seating will be available.

Today: Knead Community Café will hand out free grab-and-go dinners from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the café, 1011 Barnes St. This week’s sponsor is Kevin Bode, financial representative at Northwestern Mutual. Those picking up meals are reminded to observe social distancing while they wait in line. There will be no distribution on Thanksgiving Day.

Saturday and Monday: The Community Clothes Closet, 1129 Kenneth Ave., will be open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday and Monday. Face masks required, and a maximum of 25 people can be in the store at one time. Donations welcome only during operating hours.

Sunday: Knead Community Café is conducting an online basket raffle through Sunday on the café website. Proceeds will help sustain café operations and its mission to feed all regardless of means.

Springdale

Wednesday: Springdale Free Public Library will offer, “Let’s Get Crafty,” at 1:30 and 6 p.m. at the library, 331 School St., to make fabric trees. Attend either session. Reservations and face masks required. Reservations: 724-274-9729

Tarentum

Today: Free food and Eat N Park meals will be given out from 11:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tuesdays. Eat N Park meals will be distributed at the same time Thursdays. Free fabric face masks from Hanes will be available on both days. Distributions will be in the East Fourth Avenue parking lot beside Central Presbyterian Church, 305 Allegheny St. No registration is required for either event.

Friday: Highlands Family Center, 415 E. Fourth Ave., will distribute free diapers from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the center. Limit one distribution per child per month. Details: 724-224-9006

Friday: Tarentum Book Club will meet at First United Presbyterian Church, 913 Lock St. Kathie Zigo will discuss, “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,” by Mark Twain. Ruth Becker will be the hostess with Kathy Brook, Jan Demharter and Margo Masarik.

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 and Saturdays: The Veterans of Foreign Wars will sell takeout food from 1 to 8 p.m. at the post, 141 Sumner Ave. Curb-side delivery available. Members welcome to dine in. Menu: visit the post Facebook page. Orders: 724-568-1427 after 2 p.m.

Cancellations and changes 

Harrison

All activities at Burtner House are canceled through the end of the year.

Lower Burrell 

The St. Margaret Mary Parish nut and apricot roll sale is canceled.

Oakmont

Oakmont Hometown Christmas and Parade are canceled

Saxonburg

The annual Saxonburg Holiday Parade sponsored by the Saxonburg Area Business Association is canceled.

Tarentum 

The annual joint Christmas Parade with Brackenridge is canceled.

Vandergrift

Christopher’s Light children’s charity has canceled the annual children’s Christmas party.