The Stroller, Nov. 21, 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.

Pajama and Book Project seeks donations

The Rotary Club of Leechburg and Interact Club of Leechburg Area High School are sponsoring the Pajama and Book Project collection through Dec. 14 in the Leechburg area.

Donations of new pajamas in all sizes, men’s sleep pants and new children’s books will be accepted at the following locations: Sprankle’s Neighborhood Market, Coco Coffeehouse, Nextier Bank, Leechburg Floral, Kiski Valley Church of God, First Baptist Church, Tisha’s Salon and Spa Bar, and the Moose and Elks lodges, all in Leechburg; and Hunt’s Hilltop Service, Forks Lutheran Church and Kalmar Motors, both in Gilpin.

Monetary donations may be sent to the Rotary Club of Leechburg, P.O. Box 163, Leechburg PA 15656. Pajamas and books will be sent to HAVIN, Children Youth and Family Services of Armstrong County, Life Services and the Mechling-Shakley Veterans Center.

Drive-through food distribution set at Lernerville Speedway

Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank will host a drive-through food distribution for anyone in need from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesday at Lernerville Speedway, 313 N. Pike Road, Buffalo Township. No cars are permitted to arrive before 11 a.m.

Reservations are required to ensure enough food is available and they fill up quickly. To make a reservation, visit pittsburghfoodbank.org/find-food/drive-up-distributions/reservations/ or call 412-460-3663, ext. 655. There is no required proof of eligibility, and anyone is eligible for food.

Tarentum homes and businesses welcome to enter decorating contest

Tarentum Recreation Board is sponsoring a holiday light decorating contest for homes and businesses.

Categories include car stopper, most traditional and most colorful. Email a photograph of your decorated home or business along with your address and contact information to tarentummagazine@gmail.com by Dec. 16. Winners will be notified by phone and will be posted on the recreation board Facebook page. A lawn sign and prize will be awarded. For details, call Carrie at 724-448-1470.

Calendar

Arnold

Friday: St. Vladimir Church, 1610 Kenneth Ave., is accepting orders for its weekly pierogi sale. Varieties: potato and sauerkraut. Pickup: 12:30 to 4 p.m. Fridays at the church social hall. Face masks required. Cost: $11 per dozen; 6 for $6. Orders: 724-339-9257, 8 to 10 a.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Brackenridge 

Today: 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.

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.

Buffalo Township

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.

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.

Tuesday: Community Library of Allegheny Valley will offer a seminar, “Creating Effective Cover Letters,” at 6 p.m. at the library, 1522 Broadview Blvd., Natrona Heights. Learn how to get employers to notice your job application. Example resumes and cover letters will be provided. Reservations required. Reservations: alleghenyvalleylibrary.org/.

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.

Indiana Township 

Today: 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

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.

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

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. 1: Peoples Library will host an online discussion with author and Valley News Dispatch correspondent George Guido at 7 p.m. on Zoom.us. Guido will discuss his book, “Neighborhoods of the Alle-Kiski Valley.” Reservations required. Reservations: 724-339-1021, ext. 10 and provide your name, phone number and email address, or visit Peoples Library on Facebook.

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

Today: 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

Today: 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 

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.

Dec. 1: Springdale Free Public Library will offer a program about essentials oils and plant medicine at 6 p.m. at the library, 331 School St. Peter C. Durny will be the speaker. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-274-9729.

Tarentum

Today 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.

Wednesday: The Elks will host bingo at 7 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: elks644.org/elks-kitchen-1. Orders: 724-226-1644 by 8:15 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 

Tuesday: The YoYos Needles Art group at Vandergrift Public Library will meet from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in the library reading room, 128C. Washington Ave. Please note the new date and time. All skill levels welcome. No reservations required. Details: 724-568-2212.

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 

Today: 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.