The Stroller, Nov. 4, 2020: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley

Is your church or organization going to host a food drive or free Thanksgiving Dinner? Send information to The Stroller as soon as possible to vndnews@tribweb.com. Please include a daytime telephone number.

Christopher’s Light seeking coat donations

Christopher’s Light children’s charity is collecting new and gently-used coats for local children.

For pick-up and drop-off information, send a message to the group’s Facebook page.

Monetary donations can be sent to gofundme.com/christopher039s-light-nonprofit

Help available from HOPE Center hotline

If social distancing has forced you into an unsafe situation, help is available by calling the Alle-Kiski HOPE Center 24-hour hotline at 724-224-1266.

The hotline provides information about domestic violence, community resources, safety planning, support and more.

Winners of Tarentum scarecrow contest announced

Tarentum Recreation Board has announced the winners of this year’s scarecrow contest.

They are: Lehman Flower Shop, first place; M. Maskas & Sons Inc. and Dalmo Optical, tied for second place; Dry Bones, third place; and Seita Jewelers and Merle Norman Cosmetics, both honorable mention.

Vandergrift Improvement Program plans Christmas parade

Vandergrift Improvement Program will sponsor the annual Christmas parade at 6 p.m. Nov. 27.

Anyone interested in participating in the parade should email VIP15690@comcast.net.

Theater sponsors holiday mask contest

Prime Stage Theater in Pittsburgh is sponsoring a Create Your Own Holiday Theme Mask contest through Nov. 11.

Visit primestage.com/events to register. Create your own holiday artwork and send a JPG or PDF of it to PST@primestage.com by Nov. 11. Fee is $10.

Winners will be announced Nov. 15 and will receive free tickets to the theater’s virtual performances of “One Christmas Carol” on Dec. 11 and “Sojourner’s Truth,” on Feb. 12. Performances are appropriate for those at least 8 years old. For details, call 724-773-0700 or visit primestage.com.

Online presentation to address sleep problems

UPMC Passavant is offering a free live virtual seminar, “Getting a Good Night’s Sleep,” at 10 a.m. Nov. 11 online.

Dr. Thomas Rice will discuss common sleep orders and how they effect your body, including snoring and apnea.

Registration is required to receive the access link. To register, visit UPMC.com/VirtualEvents. For information, email communityoutreach@upmc.edu.

Help available locally to sign up for health care coverage

Open enrollment for health care coverage on the Pennsylvania Insurance Exchange will be Nov. 1 to Jan. 15, 2021. The Community Health Clinic in New Kensington is offering free assistance for those need help navigating the signup process for the exchange, medical assistance, CHIP, VA and non-coverage options.

Trained personnel are available locally in-person, virtually and over the telephone. To schedule an appointment, call 724-889-2783 or email smcmannis@communityhealthclinic.org.

Calendar

Apollo

Thursday: Apollo Area Historical Society will meet at 7 p.m. in the WCTU Building, 317 N. Second St.

Buffalo Township

Today: Buffalo Township Planning Commission will meet at 7:30 p.m. online. Access information: buffalotownship.com

East Deer

Thursday: East Deer Commissioners will conduct a combined meeting at 7:30 p.m. in the municipal building, 927 Freeport Road.

Freeport

Today: The Thrift Store Clothing Ministry at Freeport United Methodist Church, 211 Fourth St., will be open from noon to 3 p.m. at the church. Winter clothing is available. Cash only. Donations must be laundered. Details: 724-295-2476

Freeport Area School District

Thursday: Freeport Area School Board will conduct the agenda meeting at 7:30 p.m. in the high school audion, 621 S. Pike Road. Details: 724-295-5141

Gilpin

Sunday: Gilpin Volunteer Fire Department will host a drive-thru turkey dinner from 3:30 p.m. till sold out at the firehall, 113 Firehall Road. Menu: turkey with light and dark meat, mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans, cranberry sauce, roll and dessert. Cost: $11. Advance orders recommended. Orders: 724-845-7200

Harrison

Thursday: Allegheny Family Network Circle of Parents will meet from 6 to 7:30 p.m. online the first and third Thursday of the month. Registration required. Registration: Rhonda, 412-438-6146

Nov. 14: 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

Kiski Township

Today: Kiski Township Supervisors will conduct the agenda meeting at 6 p.m. at the municipal building, 1222 Old State Road. Details: 724-478-2737

Nov. 18: Kiski Township Volunteer Fire Department is accepting orders for pies and pumpkin rolls from The Pie Shoppe in Laughlintown. Cost: $9.50 and varieties available include chocolate meringue, coconut meringue, lemon meringue, apple, dutch apple, blackberry, wild blueberry, razzleberry, cherry, peach, raisin, pumpkin and harvest and pumpkin rolls. Paid orders due Nov. 7. Pickup: Nov. 18 at the firehall. Details and orders: call or text Morgan, 724-466-2812

Leechburg

Today: The free genealogy group at Leechburg Area Museum and Historical Society will meet from 10 a.m. to noon at the museum, 118 First St. Basic computer skills required. Ancestry.com and Newspaper.com are available. Details: Judy, 724-681-9154

Thursday: 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.

Lower Burrell

Tuesday: TryLife Center is sponsoring a baking contest. Entries must contain apple baby food and be submitted with the recipe from noon to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the center, 1155 Wildlife Lodge Road. Pickup a free package of apple baby food from noon to 8 p.m. Tuesday or Thursday. Winner will be announced Nov. 12. First prize is a kitchen-themed gift basket containing a $25 grocery gift card. Recipes will be compiled and distributed to center families. Public welcome. Details: 724-339-9399

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

Thursday: Knead Community Café in New Kensington will hand out free grab-and-go dinners from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the café, 1011 Barnes St. Those picking up meals are reminded to observe social distancing while they wait in line.

Nov. 11: Animal Protectors of Allegheny Valley will host a virtual Bow Wow Meow Bingo at 7 p.m. online at Zoom.us. Cost: $25 for one card; $5 for each additional card for 10 games. A gift card prize will be announced before each game and prizes will be mailed to winners. Cards and instructions will be emailed. Registration: animalprotectors.net/events

Sharpsburg

Today: The All Virtual chapter of the Women’s Business Network will meet at 7:30 p.m. online at Zoom.us. Those attending can learn how the group supports the success and growth of women in business. Guests welcome at no cost. Reservations required. Reservations and sign on information: Jennifer, 412-908-1663

Tarentum

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

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.

Saturday: Vandergrift Public Library will be open from 9 a.m. to noon Saturdays beginning this week. The updated schedule is 2 to 7 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays; 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fridays and 9 a.m. to noon Saturdays. Senior Citizen hours are available by appointment from 1 to 2 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays; and 10 to 11 a.m. Wednesdays. Appointments: 724-568-2212

Monday: An American Red Cross community blood drive will be from 1:30 to 6 p.m. in the Masons banquet room, 113 Washington Ave. Appointments: 1-800-733-2767 or visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter Vandergrift

Washington Township 

Sunday: Space applications are being accepted for an auto parts swap meet set for 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Washington Township Volunteer Fire Co., 4078 Route 66. Cost: 12 x 24-foot space, $25; 12 x 48-foot space, $45; inside 32-foot space, $55. Vendor set up will begin at 11 p.m. Nov. 7. First come, first served. Items will include parts and accessories from anything automotive, classic, high performance, trucks, cars, motorcycles or boats. Reservations and details: 724-727-3079, leave a message

West Deer

Sunday: East Union Presbyterian Church, 292 East Union Road, is accepting orders for Christmas door swags made of fresh evergreen. Cost: $20. Order deadline: Sunday. Pick up: 10:30 to noon Nov. 29 or Dec. 6 at the East Union Community Center. Proceeds will benefit the church women’s ministry outreach programs. Order forms: facebook.com/EastUnionPCUSA/ or 412-973-8927

Cancellations and changes 

Harrison

The annual Allegheny Valley Association of Churches Festival of Faith is canceled.

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

Leechburg

Saturday: The dance featuring the band 13 Stories at the Leechburg Elks is canceled.

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.