The Stroller, Nov. 27, 2021: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley

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Holiday rock concert planned Dec. 4 at Casino Theater

The annual Jingle Bell Rock concert will be at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 4 at the Casino Theater, Vandergrift.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Bands to be featured include Sourmash, Steel Mill Rising, Heidi and the Hellcats and Murphy’s 56 East Band. Admission is $10 in advance and will be $15 at the door. For tickets, visit casinotheater.org or at Pomfret’s Paints and Variety, 149 Farragut Ave., Vandergrift.

Toy drive to benefit Freeport Food Bank

Freeport Area High School Key Club will host a toy drive from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday in the front circle of the high school, 625 S. Pike Road.

New unwrapped toys will be collected for donation to the Freeport Food Bank.

Calendar

Apollo

Dec. 11: A vendor fair will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the parish center at St. James Parish, 109 Owens View Ave. All vendors needed. Cost: $20 per table; without electricity, $15. Details: Linda, 724-882-8776.

Arnold

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

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.

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.

Gilpin

Sunday: A Christmas craft show will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Gilpin Volunteer Firehall, 113 Firehall Road. Proceeds will benefit the fire department. Details: 724-845-1200.

Harrison

Thursday: Community Library of Allegheny Valley will offer a free live online webinar about Senior Medicare at 11 a.m. Livestream in your home or watch the stream in the meeting room at the library, 1522 Broadview Blvd. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-226-3491 or alleghenyvalleylibrary.org.

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.

Lower Burrell

Dec. 13: Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary will meet at 7 p.m. at the post for the Christmas party. Bring a dessert to share. Dues for 2022 are payable. Bartenders will not be distributing keycards. Please check the notice at the post for key card information or contact president Debbie Stewart, P.O. Box 144, Apollo PA 15613.

New Kensington

Monday: The Community Clothes Closet, 1129 Kenneth Ave., will be closed for the Thanksgiving holiday and will reopen Dec. 4. Clothing is available for all members of the family and gifts are available in the Christmas shop. Hours: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Donations of clean, gently-used winter clothing will be accepted during operating hours.

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.

Wednesday: 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: Friday. 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

Dec. 7: Westarm Physical Therapy and Home Health will offer a free seminar, “Treating Dizziness and Vertigo Using Physical Therapy,” at 6 p.m. at the Plum Community Center, 499 Center New Texas Road. Physical therapist Will Jones will be the speaker. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-337-6522.

Springdale 

Wednesday: 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.

Friday: The staff at Springdale Free Public Library will host a Parents’ Night Out from 6 to 8 p.m. at the library, 331 School St. Drop off your children age 5 through fourth grade and they will be entertained while you go shopping, wrap presents or just get a quiet moment. Reservations and face masks required. Reservations: 724-274-9729.

Dec. 8: Wacky Wednesdays, a free program for children in kindergarten through sixth grade, will meet at 6 p.m. at Springdale Free Public Library, 331 School St. The theme will be Christmas cartoon drawing. Registration and face masks required. Registration: 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. Details: 724-224-9220.

Sunday: A holiday book sale and author signing event will be from 2 to 5 p.m. at Central Presbyterian Church, 305 Allegheny St. Free admission, refreshments and holiday music.

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. 11: Upper Burrell Senior Citizens Holiday Drive-thru Celebration will be from 1 to 3 p.m. at the township building. Seniors must live in Upper Burrell. Reservations required by Dec. 3. Reservations: 724-335-3517.

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 

Today: Bingo will begin at 7 p.m. at the Veterans of Foreign Wars, 141 Sumner Ave. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. The kitchen will be open. Break the Bank: $2,100; $500 must-go jackpot.

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.

Thursday: Vandergrift Public Library’s free Light up the Library event will be at the library, 128C Washington Ave. Children and their families can attend at 5:30, 6 or 6:30 p.m. to allow for social distancing. Face masks optional. Activities will include card making, ornament building, cookie decorating, refreshments and pictures with Santa. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-568-2212.