The Stroller, Oct. 18, 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.

Local churches plan bus trip to Steubenville

Our Lady, Queen of Peace Parish, East Vandergrift, and St. James Parish, Apollo, are sponsoring a day trip Nov. 28 to Steubenville, Ohio.

The bus will leave at 8 a.m. from the St. James Parish parking lot, 109 Owens View Ave. and return around 8 p.m. The group will visit St. Peter Church, Fort Steuben, Franciscan University, Nelson Woodcraft and the Steubenville Nutcracker Village and Advent Market.

Cost is $139 per person. For reservations, call 724-478-4958.

Calendar

Apollo

Today: A card party will be at 6:30 p.m. at St. James Parish activities center, 109 Owens View Ave. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Play the card game of your choice. Food will be sold. Admission: $5. There will be a 50/50 raffle and $1 instant tickets. Details: Linda, 724-882-8776.

Today: Apollo Hose Co. No. 2 will have bingo at 7 p.m. at the firehall, 325 N. Fourth St. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. There will be specials and wish jars. Details: 724-478-4831.

Saturday : A Night at the Races will be at St. James Parish activities center, 109 Owens View Ave. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Must be 21. Dinner will be served at 6 p.m. and races will start at 7 p.m. Cost: $20, includes food and drink. Menu: chili, chicken noodle soup, hot dogs, ham and turkey sliders, macaroni and cheese and dessert. There will be 11 races, a 50-50, themed basket raffle, instant lottery ticket raffle and pull tabs. Those attending will be eligible to win an extra $500 cash prize. Tickets: Linda, 724-882-8776.

Arnold

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

Brackenridge

Today: 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.

Thursday: The Allegheny Valley Salvation Army and Community Center will distribute free grab-and-go lunches from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the center parking lot, 917 Brackenridge Ave. Free grocery items from Walmart and Aldi will be available. Everyone is welcome.

Thursday: Bingo will begin at 7:15 p.m. at the American Legion, 845 First Ave.

Buffalo Township

Oct. 26: Zion Methodist Community Church will host a community blood drive from 1 to 7 p.m. in the church Family Life Center, 438 Bear Creek Road. Appointments recommended. Bring ID. Appointments: 412-209-7000 or visit vitalant.org and search for group code UC664 or zip code 16055.

Freeport 

Today: The Thrift Store Clothing Ministry at Freeport United Methodist Church, 211 Fourth St., will be open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. All items are free, but donations will be accepted. Items available include clothing of all sizes, bedding and window items. Donations of clothing, shoes and boots welcome; must be laundered and free from smoke and pet hair. Wheelchair accessible. Details: 724-295-3095.

Nov. 3: A bingo night to benefit the playground project in Freeport Community Park will be at 6 p.m. at Laube Hall, 115 Community Park Road. Doors open at 5 p.m. Cost: $20, includes five bingo sheets, a dauber and entry into door prize raffle. BYOB. Must be 21 to attend. Prize winners must be present. There will be food trucks, a basket raffle and 50-50. Tickets: beebejr@gmail.com.

Gilpin

Thursday: Gilpin Volunteer Fire Department will host bingo at 7:15 p.m. at the firehall, 113 Firehall Road.

Harrison

Today: The Becky’s Closet community clothing store at Faith Lutheran Church, 1500 Broadview Blvd., will be open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the church. Clothing will be available at very low cost. Donations welcome during these hours.

Today: A Girl Scout registration event will be at 5:30 p.m. at Community Library of Allegheny Valley, 1522 Broadview Blvd. Details: Beth Ostrosky, call or text 412-713-5259 or bostrosky@gswpa.org.

Today: Allegheny Valley Association of Churches Food Bank will be open from 1:30 to 5 p.m. at 1913 Freeport Road, Natrona Heights. Food bank participants can receive food allotments twice per month. Those who are not yet registered should come from 3 to 4 p.m. on Wednesday. The Sparrow’s Nest clothing and home goods ministry will be open from 1 to 4:30 p.m. Details and alternate times: 724-226-0606, ext. 10.

Today: The Agape Thrift Shop at Grace United Methodist Church, 1333 Freeport Road, will be open from 1 to 4 p.m. Clean fall clothing in all sizes is needed. No housewares or bedding please due to lack of space. Bring donations on Wednesday or leave them on the front porch. Do not place donations in the blue bins behind the church.

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.

Jefferson

Thursday: Bingo will be at 6:30 p.m. at the American Legion, 754 N. Pike Road. Doors open at 5 p.m. The kitchen will be open. Proceeds benefit post and auxiliary projects.

Kittanning

Thursday and Sunday: Armstrong County Historical Museum, 300 N. McKean St., will be open from 1 to 3 p.m. Hours may change for special events. Free parking is available behind the museum via North Grant Avenue. Details: 724-548-5707 or achgs300@gmail.com or visit Armstrong County Historical Museum/Genealogical Society on Facebook.

Leechburg 

Thursday: The free genealogy group at Leechburg Area Museum and Historical Society will meet from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the museum, 118 First St. Basic computer skills required. Details: Judy, 724-681-9154.

Nov. 11: A gun and cash bash to benefit Gilpin and Leechburg volunteer fire companies will be from noon to 5 p.m. at the Leechburg Volunteer Fire Company truck building, 268 Canal St. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. Cost: $25, includes music, food and refreshments. Must be 21 to attend. Tickets: 724-845-1684 or John, 724-549-8867.

Nov. 18: A turkey bingo will be hosted by Leechburg Volunteer Fire Company at 6 p.m. at the firehall. Doors open at 4 p.m. and early bird games will begin at 5:30. Cost: $35 in advance; will be $40 at the door; includes packet for 20 $100 games, four $250 specials and a light meal. There will be a $1,000 must-go jackpot game. Tickets: Melissa, 724-332-9090.

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

Today: A family story time will be at 1 p.m. at Peoples Library, 880 Barnes St. Details: 724-339-1021.

Today: Peoples Library will offer an online talk with suspense author Ruth Ware at 2 p.m. Registration required. Registration: libraryc.org/peopleslibrary.

Thursdays: Redemption Church, 232 Hillcrest Drive, will offer a GriefShare support group for anyone who has lost a loved one at 6:30 p.m. Thursdays through Dec. 14 at the church. Reservations appreciated, but not required. Reservations: GriefShare.org.

Thursday: An arts, crafts and STEM workshop for all ages will be at 1 p.m. at Peoples Library, 3052 Wachter Ave. Details: 724-339-1021.

Nov. 4: The Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary will sponsor a dance in the post banquet room, 1601 Wildlife Lodge Road. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the kitchen will be open from 6 to 8 p.m. The band will be Cool Change and there will be a cash bar and drawings. Cost: $10. Proceeds will benefit the scholarship fund. Tickets: Donna, 724-980-3222.

Nov. 10: Westmoreland County Marines Detachment is selling raffle tickets to benefit its Christmas Groceries for Veterans Families in Need program. The winning number from the Pennsylvania Lottery afternoon three-digit drawing will receive a $500 gift card to Community Market and the winner of the evening three-digit drawing will get a $1,000 gift card to Community Market. Cost: $10, for two numbers. Tickets: waltersusmc@comcast.net or on weekends at Community Market, Hillcrest Shopping Center.

Nov. 11: Animal Protectors of Allegheny Valley Cash Bash will be at the Veterans of Foreign Wars, 1601 Wildlife Lodge Road. Doors open at 4 p.m. and dinner will be at 5 p.m. Cost: $35 in advance; $40 at the door. There will be a basket raffle, snacks, cash bar and 50/50. Tickets: animalprotectors.net.

New Kensington

Today: A family story time will be at 11 a.m. at Peoples Library, 880 Barnes St. Details: 724-339-1021.

Thursday: New Kensington Eagles Auxiliary Bingo will be at 7 p.m. at the aerie, 2134 Freeport Road. Doors open at 5 p.m. The kitchen will be open. Public welcome. Details: 724-448-7403.

Friday : Beverly’s Birthdays will host a free community baby shower from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at AK Valley Park Event Center, 600 Freeport Road. Expectant parents and families with a newborn up to three months old welcome. Reservations required. Reservations: tinyurl.com/mw882wfb.

Parks Township 

Thursday: Parks Township Sportsman Club Association will meet at 7:30 p.m. at the club, 1111 Shipman Road. New members welcome.

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.

Saxonburg

Today: Saxonburg Volunteer Fire Company will sell takeout fish, oyster and chicken dinners from 4 to 6:30 p.m. or until sold out at the firehall ballroom, 210 Horne Ave. Menu: fish or chicken, baked potato or fries, green beans, coleslaw, roll and cake, $15; 6-piece oyster dinner, $16; extra piece of fish, $6; extra coleslaw, $1. Orders: 724-352-9948 after 1 p.m. Wednesday.

Springdale 

Nov. 10: Springdale Free Public Library is accepting orders for pies and pumpkin rolls from The Pie Shoppe in Laughlintown. Varieties: chocolate meringue, coconut cream meringue, lemon meringue, apple, blackberry, blueberry, cherry, cherry crumb, Dutch apple, peach, raisin, razzleberry and pumpkin pies, and pumpkin rolls, all $11. All items arrive fresh and can be frozen. Paid order deadline: Friday. Pick-up: Nov. 10. Orders: 724-274-9729.

Tarentum

Today: The Elks will host bingo at 6:30 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.

Weekdays: Free food and hygiene items are available at Highlands Family Center, 415 E. Fourth Ave., suite 12. Hours: noon to 8 p.m. Mondays, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays. Details: 724-224-9006.

Oct. 28: Space applications are being accepted from crafters and vendors for the annual Boo Fest planned from noon to 4 p.m. in Riverview Memorial Park. Details: call or text Tami, 878-302-5367 or tamisudy@gmail.com.

Vandergrift

Today: Vandergrift Public Library will have a family game night from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the library, 128C Washington Ave. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-568-2212.

Today: The Anime Club for children in fifth through 10^th grade at Vandergrift Public Library will meet from 6 to 7 p.m. at the library, 128C Washington Ave. Details: 724-568-2212.

Thursday: St. Gertrude Church will host its monthly spaghetti dinner from 4 to 7 p.m. in the church hall, 303 Franklin Ave. Menu: Dine in spaghetti and meatballs, salad, bread, dessert and coffee or tea, $10; meatball hoagies, $7; quarts of sauce also available. Add 50 cents for takeout.

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 Crusaiders Rescue. Funds raised will be split between the three organizations.

Washington Township

Today: Alcoholics Anonymous will meet at 6 p.m. at Union Presbyterian Church, 656 Route 380.

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.

West Deer

Friday: North Hills Community Outreach will host a free distribution of produce, packaged food and meats from noon to 1 p.m. at the Free Store, 756 Little Deer Creek Road. The outreach also provides help with clothing, personal care items, utility and rental assistance, senior transportation and more. No ID or proof of income is required. Registration: nhco.org/on-the-go.

West Leechburg  

Saturday : Lower Burrell American Legion will sponsor a gun and cash bash from noon to 5 p.m. at West Leechburg Volunteer Fire Department Recreation Hall, 1116 Gosser St. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. Cost: $25, includes food and beverages. Winners need not be present. Tickets: stop in at the American Legion Post., 1100 Wildlife Lodge Road.