The Stroller, Nov. 20, 2021: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley

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

Entries sought for Harrison holiday light contest

Harrison Township is sponsoring a holiday light contest for township residents.

Categories are: Clark Griswold, most over the top; Hallmark Movie, most traditional; and Car Stopper, most original. To enter, email your name, address, telephone number, email and category to your ward’s Santa’s Helper or visit harrisontwp.com by Dec. 16.

Helpers and their email addresses are:

• Ward 1: Jennifer Messaros, jenlesholden@yahoo.com.

• Ward 2: Jamie Nee, jrnee@comcast.net.

• Robin Bergstrom, rkbergstrom@consolidated.net.

• Karen Wantland, kwantland60@gmail.com.

• Kelli Canonge, kellimcanonge@gmail.com.

Lights must be visible from the street and be turned on from 6 to 9 p.m. Dec. 17 for judging. Winners will be notified be phone and posted on the township website and receive a recognition lawn sign and special gift.

Donations needed to replace Casino Theater fire escape

Vandergrift Public Library and the Casino Theater are raising funds to replace a dilapidated fire escape that serves the children’s section of the library and balcony patrons of the theater.

The organizations received a $21,500 matching funds grant in July from PACE and must come up with either a dollar to half dollar match, volunteer hours or contribution of materials to match the amount awarded.

Donations are being accepted. Checks can be sent to Vandergrift Public Library, 128C Washington Ave., or CTRM, P.O. Box 202, Vandergrift PA 15690. Please put “fire escape project” in the memo section. A plaque will be installed near the new fire escape with contributors’ names.

Calendar

Apollo

Today: Apollo Area Historical Society will be open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the WCTU Building, 317 N. Second St. The current exhibit is a vintage toy display.

Arnold

Today: The Tomb Coffeehouse, 1821 Fifth Ave., will have fellowship at 7:30 p.m. Details: 724-339-8888.

Brackenridge

Today: Trinity United Methodist Church, 847 10^th St., will present a concert featuring The Rust Project Electric Band from 7 to 9 p.m. at the church. The band will play favorites by the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Tom Petty, Neil Young and more. Donations will be accepted. Details: 724-224-7300.

Sunday: Sons of the American Legion will serve an all you can eat community breakfast from 9 a.m. to noon in the American Legion, 845 E. First Ave. Cost: $8; younger than 12, $5.

Buffalo Township

Today: A free clothing giveaway will be from 9 a.m. to noon at Evangel Heights Church, 120 Beale Road. Infant, kids, juniors and adult sizes will be available. Everyone welcome.

Sunday: A spaghetti dinner will be from 2 to 6 p.m. at the White Star Club, 401 Shuster Drive. Menu: spaghetti, salad and rolls $10; extra homemade meatballs, $3. Take-out orders strongly encouraged. Limited dine-in available. Orders: 724-295-2656

Dec. 1: GFWC Saxonburg District Woman’s Club will have its annual December banquet at 6 p.m. at Smokin’ Toads, 110 S. Pike Road. Social time will be at 5:30 p.m. Reservations required by Monday.

East Vandergrift 

Dec. 6: Our Lady, Queen of Peace Parish is sponsoring a St. Nicholas Day raffle. Winning numbers will be the noon and 7 p.m. Dec. 6 Pa. Lottery Daily Pick 3 numbers. The noon winner receives $1,000 and a $100 gift certificate to Pounds Turkey Farm. The 7 p.m. winner receives $1,300 and a $100 gift certificate to Pounds Turkey Farm. Cost: $10, for two numbers. Tickets: Deborah, 724-859-3186, the church office or after Sunday Mass in the church vestibule.

Frazer 

Today: Dasher’s Lightshow at Pittsburgh Mills Mall will have a Toys For Tots fundraiser. Bring a new toy and receive a free show replay of a new show. Buy tickets at bit.ly/TOYS4TotsDASH and a percentage of admission will be donated to Toys For Tots.

Harrison

Monday: The Yarn Friends group at Community Library of Allegheny Valley will meet from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the library, 1522 Broadview Blvd. New members of all skill levels and ages welcome. The group is working on blankets for Project Linus. Registration required. Registration and supply list: Alleghenyvalleylibrary.com or 724-226-3491.

Freeport

Ongoing: Freeport Area Library is accepting donations of new and gently-used household items, books, games, puzzles, holiday decor and DVDs for its upcoming sale. Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays; noon to 5 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays; and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays. Details: 724-295-3616.

Harrison 

Today: 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. Do not arrive before 12:45 p.m. Free produce and personal care and hygiene products will be distributed until supplies run out. No income verification required. Everyone welcome. Masks required.

Indiana Township

Sunday: A spaghetti dinner will be from noon to 5 p.m. at Rural Ridge Volunteer Fire Company, 135 Little Deer Creek Road. Menu: spaghetti, salad, roll, dessert and iced tea, lemonade and coffee; $10; meatballs, $1.50 each; wedding soup, $3; soup, salad and roll, $5; pop and water, $1.

Leechburg

Today: Cross Roads Community Presbyterian Church free takeout monthly Pot Love Dinner will begin at noon at the church, 271 Main St. Reservations required by noon today. One dinner per family member limit. Those with reservations will be served first. Line-up will be outside and social distancing must be observed. Everyone welcome. Reservations: 724-845-1901 or email church@crcpc.org.

Today: 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.

Monday: The Leechburg Area Museum and Historical Society, 118 First St., is closed for winter. To arrange a private tour, email lamahs@windstream.net or call 724-845-8914 and leave a message.

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.

Dec. 11 and 12: Leechburg Volunteer Fire Company is seeking crafters and vendors for a Christmas craft show set for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the firehall, 268 Canal St. Cost: $30 for an 8-foot table with two chairs for one day; or $50 for both days. Details: Melissa, 724-332-9090 or allermelissa@comcast.net or Shay, 724-596-2858.

Dec. 18: Holy Innocents Anglican Church, 366 Third St., will have its annual Christmas Bake Sale. Orders are being taken for assorted homemade cookie trays. Cost: large trays, $40; small trays, $30. Order deadline: Nov. 30. Orders: 724-882-2665, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays.

Lower Burrell

Today: The Moose will host karaoke with DJ Lisa from 8 p.m. to midnight at the lodge, 499 Reimer St. Members and guests welcome.

Today: The Veterans of Foreign Wars will feature Marshal and the Deputies from 8 to 11 p.m. at the post. Members and three guests welcome.

Manor

Wednesday: The Outdoor Discovery Center at Crooked Creek will sponsor a free children’s Thankful for Nature hike and craft event at 10 a.m. at the center, 142 Kerr Road. There will be an easy- to moderate-rated hike, and then the group will go indoors for hot apple cider, a story, craft and autumn science lesson. Please bring a non-perishable food item for the local food bank. Reservations required. Reservations: armstrongcenter.org/odc-events/.

New Kensington

Today and Monday: The Community Clothes Closet, 1129 Kenneth Ave., is open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and offers clothing for all members of the family, uniforms for students at Mary Queen of Apostles School, shoes, purses, household items, linens and blankets. Visit the new home store. First-time customers receive 15 free items. Donations accepted during open hours only. Take a free chance on a monthly basket raffle.

Nov. 30: Adoption fees will be waived for veterans through the end of the month at Animal Protectors of Allegheny Valley, 730 Church St. Details: animalprotectors.net.

Dec. 7: St. John the Baptist Orthodox Church is accepting orders for a pierogi sale. Varieties: potato and cheese, sauerkraut, cottage cheese and cottage cheese with sugar, $10 per frozen dozen. Pickup: 1 to 5 p.m. Dec. 7 at the church, 150 Elmtree Road. Order deadline: Nov. 26. Orders: 724-226-0942 or saintjohnnewken@gmail.com.

Parks

Sunday: Parks Township Sportsman’s Club will host a Music Night for members and guests from 6:30 to 10 p.m. at the club, 1111 Shipman Road. Bring your favorite stringed instrument and sing along. Refreshments available. Details: 724-845-2390.

Plum

Sunday: A drive-thru spaghetti dinner will be from 3 to 6:30 p.m. at Our Lady of Joy Church, 2000 Oblock Road. Drive up to the main entrance. Menu: spaghetti, two meatballs, salad with Italian or ranch dressing, Italian bread and butter, $10. Sponsored by the Knights of Columbus.

Saltsburg

Wednesday: Christopher’s Light is selling tickets for a lottery ticket raffle. Winner will receive $100 in Pa. Lottery scratch-off tickets and $150 in cash. Cost: $5 for four chances. The winning number will be the 7 p.m. Wednesday Pa. Pick 3. Christopher’s Light is a non-profit that provides clothing, support and educational services to children in Westmoreland, Indiana and Armstrong counties. Tickets: 724-448-1349.

Springdale 

Today: Cub Scout Troop 554 will sponsor a takeout spaghetti dinner fundraiser from 2 to 6 p.m. at the Krivan Hall Association, 628 Garfield St. Menu: spaghetti, salad, bread and dessert, $10; younger than 10, $5; meatballs and sweet sausage, $2; homemade wedding, stuffed pepper or chicken tortellini soups, $7 per quart. Proceeds benefit Pack 554 activities.

Tuesday: The Tuesday Night Book Club at Springdale Free Public Library will meet at 6:30 p.m. at the library, 331 School St. The selection will be, “Before We Were Yours,” by Lisa Wingate. Copies are available at the library. New members welcome. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-274-9729,

Tarentum

Today: 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.

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.

Upper Burrell

Dec. 24: Upper Burrell Volunteer Fire Company and Vigilant Hose Company of Port Vue are sponsoring a $15,000 cash raffle. Winning number will be the Dec. 24 Pa. Lottery Pick 4 number. Cost: $20 for eight numbers. Tickets: send a private message on the company Facebook page.

Vandergrift  

Nov. 30: Vandergrift Public Library, 128C Washington Ave., is having a fall book sale through the end of November at the library. Cost: books, $3 for a Giant Eagle bag; puzzles, $1. Details: 724-568-2212.

West Deer 

Sunday: A takeout spaghetti dinner will be from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Deer Creek Diner, 13 Creighton Russellton Road, to benefit Deer Lakes Hockey Club. Menu: spaghetti, salad, roll and dessert, $8; 5 and younger, free. Drive-thru service available.