The Stroller, Oct. 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.

Free holiday grief support workshop offered

Good Samaritan Hospice, a mission of Concordia, will host a free holiday grief workshop “Feeling and Functioning Through the Holidays” for anyone who has lost a loved one from 9 a.m. to noon Nov. 11 at its Middlesex Township office, 116 Browns Hill Road, suite 111.

All ages are welcome. The event will provide guidance and support to help individuals cope during the holiday season after the loss of a loved one and will include a craft.

Reservations are encouraged by Nov. 3, but walk-ins are welcome. For details and to register, call Brittany Foy at 800-720-2557, ext. 4428.

Calendar

Apollo

Wednesdays and Saturdays: Apollo Area Historical Society Museum, 317 N. Second St., will be open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Details: 724-478-2849 or 724-212-9255.

Wednesday: 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.

Arnold

Tuesday: St. Vladimir Church, 1610 Kenneth Ave., will sponsor a bingo night. Doors open at 6 p.m. There is a $1,000 jackpot game with a $500 consolation prize. Pierogi, snacks, drinks, daubers and extra packages will be sold. Admission: $25.

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

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 

Tuesday: 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. at Lernerville Speedway, 313 N. Pike Road. No reservations required. Guests should remain in their vehicles and open their door or trunk and will be served on a first come, first served basis.

Wednesday: Herbal Thymes Club invites the public to its free monthly program at 7 p.m. at Zion United Methodist Church, 438 Bear Creek Road. Guest speaker Steve Nonn, owner of the Old Tin Roof in Upper Burrell, will discuss the many varieties of culinary garlic. Details: herbalthymesclub.org.

Thursday : 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 

Wednesday: 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.

Harrison

Wednesday: 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.

Wednesday: 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.

Wednesday: 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.

Kiski Township

Tuesday: The diaper pantry at Spring Church Lutheran Church, 3623 Lutheran Church Road, will distribute diapers from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the church. Distributions will be the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month. Recipients must register in advance. First-time recipients must provide their own ID, the child’s birth certificate and a current WIC or SNAP card. Registration: 724-478-1528.

Kittanning

Sunday: The Armstrong County Historical Museum will close for the season.

Leechburg  

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

Tuesday: A Girl Scout registration event will be at 6 p.m. at Peoples Library, 3052 Wachter Ave. Details: Beth Ostrosky, call or text 412-713-5259 or bostrosky@gswpa.org.

Wednesday: A family story time 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. 5: Burrell High School Marching Band will host a Bowl With the Band fundraiser from 1 to 4 p.m. at Wildlife Lodge Lanes, 1000 Wildlife Lodge Road. Cost: $20, includes unlimited bowling and shoe rental. There will be a bake sale, a basket raffle, and 50-50. Tickets: BurrellBandVP@gmail.com.

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

Tuesday: An arts, crafts and STEM workshop for all ages will be at 11 a.m. at Peoples Library, 880 Barnes Ave. Details: 724-339-1021.

Tuesday and Saturday: The Community Clothes Closet, 1129 Kenneth Ave., will be open from noon to 2 p.m. Tuesday and 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. Items available include clothing for all members of the family, shoes, purses, blankets and linens. First-time customers receive 15 free items. Winter clothing donations welcome during business hours.

Nov. 7: East Kensington Community Circle is accepting orders for its Election Day beef vegetable soup sale. Cost: $8 per quart. Pickup: Nov. 7 at the Community Circle Building, 1785 Seventh St. Road. Orders required by Nov. 3. Orders: Tracy, 724-212-3933.

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

Oakmont

Tuesdays: Taking Pounds Off Sensibly (TOPS) meets at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 1261 Pennsylvania Ave. Private weigh-ins will be from 5:45 to 6:10 p.m. and the meeting will be afterward. The first meeting is free. Please note the new location. Details: 412-828-3854 or jmjkwj@gmail.com.

O’Hara

Oct. 28: A Roaring 20s murder mystery fundraiser to benefit Guyasuta Area Youth Football will be at the at the Comfort Inn, 180 Gamma Drive, RIDC Park. Doors open at 5 p.m. There will be appetizers, an Italian buffet dinner, raffles and awards for best dressed. Cost: $50. Tickets: tinyurl.com/3nt68aey.

Saxonburg

Wednesday: 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. 2: Springdale Free Public Library will host a talk “The 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s” with a speaker from the Alzheimer’s Association at 4 p.m. at the library, 331 School St. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-274-9729.

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

Wednesday: 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.

Wednesdays and Saturdays: The Alle-Kiski Valley Historical Society, 224 E. Seventh Ave., is open from noon to 3 p.m. and other times by appointment. Details: 724-224-7666.

Thursday: Hamloaf dinners will be sold from noon to 2 p.m. and 4 to 6 p.m. at Central Presbyterian Church, 305 Allegheny St. Menu: hamloaf, parsley potatoes, vegetable, rolls and butter and dessert, $10. Takeout or delivery only. Advance orders recommended. Orders: 724-224-9220.

Vandergrift 

Tuesday: The YoYos Needle Arts group at Vandergrift Public Library will meet from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the library reading room, 128C Washington Ave. No reservations required; just stop in. All skill levels welcome; however, this is not an instructional program. Details: 724-568-2212.

Wednesday: A Girl Scout registration event will be at 6 p.m. at Vandergrift Public Library, 128C Washington Ave. Details: Beth Ostrosky, call or text 412-713-5259 or bostrosky@gswpa.org.

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

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

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