The Stroller, Nov. 23, 2023: 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.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I was contacted recently by the daughter of our former writer, the late Barbara Daugherty, for a copy of one of her best columns, “Thanksgiving Offers Time to Gobble Up Family Love.”

As I read it again after all of these years, I decided that it was time to share it again with you, our loyal readers. Please read on and enjoy this timeless piece of wisdom:

“The nicest family holiday of the year comes and goes much too fast. Thanksgiving is the sweetest of all holidays, completely family-oriented and non-commercialized.

Sure, turkey producers get a piece of the pie, but at least you don’t have to run out and buy 20 turkeys, decorate and gift wrap them, then shove them under an evergreen tree for the great unwrapping.

Thanksgiving is my favorite day of the year. A day when you sit around the dining table with the people you love best in all the world and share food and love and laughter.

Ladies and gentlemen, that’s as good as it gets.

You can have all the money in the world and all the stuff money can buy, but if you don’t have that all-encompassing love on Thanksgiving, you have zip, zilch, nada.

That love and togetherness goes beyond family, however. Some people don’t have kin nearby, or all their family has passed on, so they share the day with friends and that’s wonderful, too.

It’s that togetherness that matters. That joining for a meal on a November day that asks nothing more from you than that you give thanks for all the wonderful things in your life.

And no matter how le you have or how terrible this year has been for you, consider this. It could have been worse.

There are people whose lives have been shattered beyond belief. Perhaps they have lost a parent or a spouse or a sibling or friend or a child. But no matter what, you have to thank a Higher Power for the good things in your life.

Be grateful for the ability to see the face of someone you love or to walk across the street or to hear wonderful music or to smell pumpkin pie baking in the oven or to feel the touch of a loved one. Be grateful for the gift of life.

On this Thanksgiving be mindful of all the things you take for granted every day – your family, your friends, your wonderful loving pets – especially them, for they give you unconditional love and no one else does.

Thanksgiving is a day to put aside animosity and hard-held grudges. Let your loving kindness show through. And if you can’t do that, at least be tolerant. Save your ill will for another time. Better still, get over it.”

I send special thanks to the residents of the Alle-Kiski Valley who plan events to help their neighbors and submit their news to The Stroller. These people and their organizations are what make our Valley such a wonderful place to live.

- Carol Pinto-Smith

Train display to benefit food bank

Bull Creek United Presbyterian Church Model Railroad Association, 224 Tarentum-Culmerville Road, West Deer, will host its annual holiday train display from 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sunday, Dec. 2, 3, 9, 10, 16 and 17; 4 to 8 p.m. Dec. 27, 28 and 29; and 2 to 6 p.m. Jan. 5 and 6 at the church.

Admission is $5; $2 for children age 4 to 12, plus a donation of non-perishable food items for the Allegheny Valley Association of Churches Food Bank. For a private group viewing, call Billy at 724-272-3401 or Rick at 724-448-8444.

Calendar

Apollo

Dec. 9: Apollo Memorial Library will host a free visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus event at the library, 219 N. Pennsylvania Ave. Sessions will be at 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. There will be a story time, pictures, a craft and refreshments. Reservations required and space is limited. Reservations: 724-478-4214.

Harrison 

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.

Dec. 5: Community Library of Allegheny Valley is accepting orders for a pasta sale through Dec. 5 online and at the library, 1522 Broadview Blvd. Varieties include shapes such as animals, sports and more. Details: tinyurl.com/3saub7e4.

Dec. 15: Tickets are on sale for a holiday basket raffle to benefit Community Library of Allegheny Valley. Cost: $2 each; or three for $5. The drawing will be Dec. 15. Details: 724-226-3491.

Leechburg  

Dec. 9 and 10: Leechburg Volunteer Fire Company is accepting space applications for a Christmas craft and vendor show at the firehall, 268 Canal St. Cost: $50 for both days; or $30 per day, includes a table and two chairs. Applications and more information: Melissa, 724-332-9090 or allermelissa@comcast.net.

Lower Burrell

Friday: The Mobile Veterans Program will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Veterans of Foreign Wars, 1601 Wildlife Lodge Road. There will be a meet-and-greet, games, crafts and lunch. Sponsored by the Veterans Administration of Pittsburgh, all veterans are welcome.

Dec. 7: Tickets are on sale for a Design and Wine event planned for 6 p.m. at the Moose, 499 Reimer St. Attendees will create a pair of earrings and matching necklace and enjoy wine sampling. Cost: $40 includes materials. Members and guests welcome. Reservations required. Details: mooselodge053@gmail.com.

Parks Township 

Friday: Parks Township Volunteer Fire Department will host bingo at 7 p.m. in the firehall, 1119 Dalmation Drive. Doors open at 5 p.m.

Tarentum

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   

Dec. 31: Vandergrift Public Library is conducting a 100,000 penny collection challenge through the end of the year. Bring your pennies to the library, 128C Washington Ave., or TinyCause or Champion’s Crusaders Rescue. Funds raised will be split between the three organizations.

Washington Township

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.