The Stroller, Oct. 8, 2021: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley

The Valley News Dispatch is compiling a list of autumn events and Halloween parades, parties and trick-or-treat nights. Information should be emailed to cpinto-smith@triblive.com.

Tarentum scarecrow contest taking submissions

Tarentum Recreation Board is sponsoring its 13th annual Scarecrow Contest.

The contest is open to groups, including family, friends, clubs, schools and businesses. There is no entry fee.

Scarecrows must be humorous, whimsical and loveable, but not frightening or bloody. All props and scarecrows should stand between 4- and 7-feet tall and be attached with only rope to the light poles along Corbet Street and Sixth Avenue. Set-up is Oct. 15 to 31. Judging will be Oct. 31.

Categories are traditional, which would include a typical farm scarecrow made from old clothing, burlap, jeans and straw; and whimsical, that could be from a fairy tale or fantasy, humorous or a celebrity.

Prizes are: first, $100 gift card; second, $75 gift card; third, $50 gift card. For details and an application, visit tarentumboro.com or email carriefox170@gmail.com.

Rabies, microchip clinic planned Sunday in Harrison

Animal Protectors of Allegheny Valley and the Building Block of Natrona will host a rabies, distemper and microchip clinic for dogs and cats from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday in Natrona Community Park, 12-20 River Road in Natrona, Harrison.

Cost is $15 for a one-year rabies vaccine, $20 for a distemper vaccine, $20 for a microchip and $50 for all three services, cash only.

Animals must be at least three months old to receive a rabies vaccine. Dogs must be on a non-retractable leash and cats must be in a carrier.

Cat supplies sought for Frankie’s Friends

Girl Scout Troop 52573 will collect cat supplies from noon to 3 p.m. Sunday in the Bairdford Park Pavilion in West Deer to be donated to Frankie’s Friends cat rescue.

Items most needed include Purina cat food, kitten food, cat toys, blankets, cat litter and scratching boxes.

Calendar

Apollo

Saturday: 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. Details: Linda, 724-882-8776

Oct. 16: A Night at the Races will be at 7 p.m. at St. James Parish Center, 109 Owens View Ave. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Food will be served at 6 p.m. and the races begin at 7. Menu: hamburgers and cheeseburgers, chicken tenders, kielbasa and sauerkraut, cowboy beans, macaroni and cheese, coleslaw, dessert and beverages. Admission: $20, includes food. Must be 21 to attend. There will be 50/50 raffles, a basket raffle and pull tabs. Tickets: in the church vestibule before and after weekend Masses and at the door

Oct. 30: A Halloween Bingo will be at 8 p.m. at Apollo Hose Company No. 2, 325 N. Fourth St. Doors open at 6 p.m. and food will be served at 7. Cost: $40, includes game packet, dauber, food, pop, games and music. Tickets: apollohosecompany2.square.site or after 6 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays at the firehall. Details: 724-549-1601 or shelbymiller80@gmail.com

Arnold

Today: St. Vladimir Church, 1610 Kenneth Ave., is accepting orders for its weekly pierogi sale. Varieties: potato and sauerkraut. Pickup: 12:30 to 4 p.m. Fridays at the church social hall. Face masks required. Cost: $10 per dozen. Due to the rising cost of ingredients, effective Oct. 15 prices will be $11 per dozen and $6 for 6. Orders: 724-339-9257, 8 to 10 a.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays

Saturday: The Tomb, formerly known as Sheep Coffeehouse, 1821 Fifth Ave., will have fellowship at 7:30 p.m. Free Lunch with Us is from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays. Details: 724-339-8888

Buffalo Township 

Saturday: A free clothing giveaway will be from 9 a.m. to noon at Evangel Heights Church, 120 Beale Road. Infant, kids, juniors and adult sizes will be available. Everyone welcome.

Frazer 

Saturday: Amateur Astronomers of Pittsburgh will host a Star Party at 7 p.m. Saturday in the Nicholas E. Wagman Observatory, 225 Kurn Road, in Deer Lakes Regional Park, weather permitting. Bring binoculars, a blanket and camping chair. Please use parking lights only when you drive through the park gate. Donations will be accepted. Details and weather updates: 3ap.org or call 724-224-2510

Gilpin 

Wednesday and Thursday: Christ the King Parish will accept donations from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct 13 and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct 14 for its Oct. 16 rummage sale at the church hall, 125 Park Road. No televisions, computers, printers, large furniture or exercise equipment, tires, encyclopedias or textbooks, please.

Oct. 17: Gilpin Volunteer Fire Department is accepting orders for a stuffed cabbage sale. Cost: $2 each. Pickup: drive-thru at 4:30 p.m. Oct. 17. Orders required. Orders: 724-845-7200, leave a message

Harrison

Today: 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.

Saturday: The Diaper Pantry at Christ Our Hope Anglican Church, will distribute diapers from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the church, 926 Painter Ave., and at Sheldon Park, both in Natrona Heights. Recipients must drive up and remain in their vehicles. First-time recipients must provide present their own identification, the child’s birth certificate and a current WIC or SNAP card.

Sunday: The Knights of Columbus will host a pancake and sausage breakfast from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the council home, 28 Garfield St., Natrona. Cost: $6; younger than 6, $3.

Oct. 23: St. Joseph High School, Natrona Heights, will have its fall open house from 10 a.m. to noon at the school, 800 Montana Ave. The Student Ambassadors will conduct private tours and faculty, coaches, staff and current parents will be available. Registration required. Registration: saintjosephHS.com

Nov. 6: Highlands Marching Band is seeking vendors for a fall craft show. Hours: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Applications: hvmubcraftshow@gmail.com

Kiski Township

Oct. 23: Kiski Township Fire Department is seeking vendors for its Fall Fest. There will be a vendor show from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., food trucks from noon to 8 p.m. and a meet-and-greet with fire, EMS and police personnel from 2 to 6 p.m. Details: Morgan, 724-466-2812, or Tracy, 724-681-6665

Nov. 24: Kiski Township Volunteer Fire Company is accepting orders for pies and pumpkin rolls from The Pie Shoppe in Laughlintown. Varieties: chocolate meringue, coconut meringue, lemon meringue, apple, Dutch apple, blackberry, wild blueberry, razzleberry, cherry, peach, raisin, harvest and pumpkin pies, and pumpkin rolls, all $10. Paid order deadline: Nov. 13. Pick-up: Nov. 24. Orders: Morgan, 724-466-2812

Kittanning

Sundays and Thursdays: Armstrong County Historical Museum, 300 N. McKean St., will be open for tours from 1 to 3 p.m. through Oct. 31. Free admission. Alternate hours available by appointment. Free parking is available behind the building via the North Grant Avenue entrance. Details: 724-548-5707

Leechburg

Saturday: Leechburg Public Library will host a Teen Open Forum to discuss current events at 11 a.m. at the library, 139 Market St. Children 11 to 15 years old welcome. Details: 724-238-0080

Saturday: Leechburg Area Museum, 118 First St., will be open from noon to 3 p.m. Details: lamahs@windstream.net

Saturday: Takeout chicken and biscuit dinners will be sold from 4 to 6 p.m. at Cross Roads Community Presbyterian Church, 271 Main St. Cost: $9; 10 and younger, $4. Delivery available to Leechburg high rises. Tickets and details: 724-845-1901

Oct. 24: First Lutheran Church, 358 Main St., will offer the GriefShare program, “Surviving the Holidays,” at 2 p.m. in the church social hall. Details: 724-845-7518

Oct. 24: A purse bash sponsored by the Leechburg-Gilpin Lions Club will be from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Marconi Club, 135 River Ave. Doors open at noon and there will be side raffles. Admission: $20, includes food, beer and beverages. Must be 21 to attend. Tickets: 724-448-1052

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

Lower Burrell

Today and Saturday: A rummage and bake sale will be from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. today and 9 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday at Bethel United Methodist Church, 150 Alder St.

Saturday: The ClothesLine ministry at Bethesda Lutheran Church, 3084 Leechburg Road, will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Cost: clothing, shoes and purses, 25 cents each or 5 for $1. Follow us on Facebook.

Saturday: The Lower Burrell Farmers Market will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the municipal building, 2800 Schreiber St. The Lions Club will sell brooms.

Saturday: Lower Burrell Volunteer Fire Company No. 3 will host a food truck rally and vendor show from 1 to 6 p.m. at the firehall, 3255 Leechburg Road. Cash and credit accepted at the food trucks. Free parking available at Bon Air Elementary School. Covered seating available for eating.

Saturday: The Veterans of Foreign Wars will feature Studio B Music Service with DJ Tink Heavner from 8 to 11 p.m. at the post. Members and three guests welcome.

New Kensington

Saturday and Monday: The Community Clothes Closet, 1129 Kenneth Ave., is open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and offers clothing for all members of the family, uniforms for students at Mary Queen of Apostles School, shoes, purses, household items, linens and blankets. Visit the new home store. First-time customers receive 15 free items. Donations accepted during open hours only. Take a free chance on a monthly basket raffle.

Sunday: A Vitalant community blood drive will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Trinity Hall at First Evangelical Lutheran Church, 221 Ridge Ave. Appointments recommended. Appointments: 412-209-7000 or visit the Donate Blood button at Vitalant.org and use group code C5300045

Oct. 16: St. John the Baptist Orthodox Catholic Church, 150 Elmtree Road, will have a drive-thru Slavic Food Festival from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the church. Orders are being accepted for frozen pierogi. Cost: $10 per dozen. Order deadline: Oct. 8. Orders: 724-226-0942 or saintjohnnewken@gmail.com

North Apollo

Saturday: A food truck rally will be from 4 to 9 p.m. at the North Apollo Volunteer Firehall, 311 16^th St. There will be a DJ, silent auction and games of chance.

O’Hara

Tuesday: A Vitalant community blood drive will be from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the large group instructional room at Fox Chapel Area High School, 611 Field Club Road. Donors will receive a T-shirt. Appointments recommended. Appointments: 412-209-7000 or visit the Donate Blood button at Vitalant.org and use group code HS010025

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

Saturday: Allegheny County Parks Department will host a campfire ghost story event at 7 p.m. in the Four Season Lodge at Boyce Park. Listen to spooky stories and songs by the glow of a roaring campfire. Wear a costume for a chance to win a prize. Physical distancing will be observed, and face masks are required. Registration required. Registration: alleghenycounty.us/special-events/campfire-ghost-stories.aspx

Springdale

Saturday: A takeout spaghetti dinner will be from 2 to 6 p.m. at St. Mark Lutheran Church, 600 Pittsburgh St. Menu: spaghetti, salad, bread and dessert, $9. Orders: 724-274-5313

Oct. 18: The Geraldine Yanni Science Club for children in fourth through sixth grade at Springdale Free Public Library will meet at 6 p.m. at the library, 331 School St. Children will design a parachute for a spider and build a pumpkin tower. Space is limited. Registration required. Registration: 724-274-9729

Oct. 20: Oakmont Paranormal Society will present a program from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Springdale Free Public Library, 331 School St. Drake Bowan will be the speaker. Reservations required by Oct. 15. Reservations: 724-274-9729

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

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.

Nov. 9, 10, 16 and 17: Ss. Peter & Paul Byzantine Catholic Church, 339 E. 10th Ave., will have its annual Christmas nut roll Sale. Varieties are nut, apricot and poppy seed. Cost: $12. Orders: Lynn, 724-717-8001, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Upper Burrell

Ongoing: Upper Burrell Volunteer Fire Company is sponsoring a tip board to win a $15,000 store credit at Lojak’s Cycle Sales, Fawn. Cost: $50 per chance. The drawing will be conducted on Facebook and Instagram live when all tickets are sold. Tickets: send a message on the fire company Facebook page or click here.

Vandergrift

Oct. 16: A drag queen bingo will be 5 p.m. at Vandergrift Volunteer Fire Hall No. 1, 278 Franklin Ave. There will be a silent auction, jackpot games, food, and strip tickets. BYOB. Must be 21 to attend. Cost: $20, includes eight games and a dauber. CDC guidelines will be observed. Tickets: Joann, 724-596-0076

Washington Township

Today: 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.

Nov. 7: 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. 6. 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

Today: St. Michael Eastern Orthodox Church, 92 Liberty St., Curtisville, will have a flea market from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the church. Details: 724-265-1005