The Stroller, Sept. 14, 2021: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley

Publicize your club meetings, community events and fundraisers for free in The Stroller. Send information at least a week in advance to vndnews@triblive.com. Please include a daytime telephone number.

Pets to compete in library costume contest

Community Library of Allegheny Valley is sponsoring a Pet Costume Contest from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sept. 25 at the library, 1522 Broadview Blvd., Harrison.

Categories are children’s book character, famous literary character, famous classic novel and best of show. All pets are welcome.

Owners can register their pet online in advance or in person the day of the event. Photos of pets can be submitted online for judging or come to the library to be judged in person during the event. Cost is $10 online and $15 in person. Winners will be announced at 1 p.m. and winner need not be present.

To email your entry, send a photo of your pet to Suzy Ruskin at ruskins2@einetwork.net, along with the owner’s name, phone number the pet’s name. For details, call the library at 724-226-3491.

Salvation Army free lunch distribution offered Thursday

The Allegheny Valley Salvation Army and Community Center in Brackenridge offers free grab and go lunches from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursdays in parking lot at the center, 917 Brackenridge Ave.

Everyone is welcome.

Health screenings available at Tarentum Night Market

The monthly Tarentum Night Market event will be Thursday in downtown Tarentum.

Participating businesses will be open until 8 p.m. The Duquesne University Center for Integrative Health will offer free health screenings from 5 to 8 p.m. in the Murphy Building, 414 Corbet St. No appointments are required.

Calendar

Allegheny Valley

Wednesday: 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. Reservations required. Reservations and sign on information: Jennifer, 412-908-1663

Apollo

Wednesday: Apollo Hose Co. No. 2 will host bingo at 7 p.m. at the firehall, 325 N. Fourth St. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Prize amounts have been raised and there will be a $1,000 must-go jackpot. Details: 724-478-4831

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.

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

Cheswick

Thursday: The Pittsburgh Shrine Center will present a free outdoor concert featuring Pierce Dipner and the Shades of Blue from 7 to 9 p.m. under cover at the center, 1877 Shriners Way, Cheswick. Gates open at 6 p.m. Seating and tables will be provided, and food and beverages will be sold. No outside food and beverages, please.

Freeport

Wednesday: The Thrift Store Clothing Ministry at Freeport United Methodist Church, 211 Fourth St., will be open from noon to 3 p.m. Cash only. No donations are being accepted at this time. Details: 724-295-3095

Thursday: Freeport’s Food Truckin’ will be from 4 to 8 p.m. in the parking lot of Laube Hall. Vendor fees are $25 for the first week and $50 for each additional week and will benefit Restore Freeport Community Park. Details: Jackie, 724-234-9373

Gilpin  

Today: An American Red Cross Blood community blood drive will be from 12:30 to 6 p.m. at Gilpin Volunteer Fire Hall, 113 Fire Hall Road. Appointments: 800-733-2767 or visit redcrossblood.org and use sponsor code GTVFD

Thursday: Cub Scout Pack 553 will host sign-up nights from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in Gilpin Park pavilion 2 in Gilpin-Leechburg Park, Park Road. Details: Adam Spiering, 412-889-1295 or adampatty@windstream.net

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

Harrison

Wednesday: The Agape Thrift Shop at Grace United Methodist Church, 1333 Freeport Road, will be open from 1 to 4 p.m. Masks required.

Wednesday: Allegheny Valley Association of Churches Food Bank will be open to anyone in need from 1:30 to 5 p.m. at 1913 Freeport Road, Natrona Heights. Pull into the center parking lot and food will be placed into your vehicle. Those who are not yet registered should come from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Thursday: Community Library of Allegheny Valley will host a 3D Printing Party from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the library, 1522 Broadview Blvd. Learn how 3D printing works, what it can be used for and print out some designs yourself. Recommended for those who are at least 12 years old. No reservations required. Details: 724-226-3491

Friday: Community Library of Allegheny Valley will host, “Discovering Family Roots: Extra! Extra! Finding Your Ancestors in Newspapers,” at 1 p.m. in the library, 1522 Broadview Blvd., Natrona Heights. Pamela Israel, genealogist from “Unlock Your History,” will be the speaker. Reservations and face masks required. Reservations: alleghenyvalleylibrary.org

Sept. 25: Community Library of Allegheny Valley is selling “Love Your Library” T-shirts at alleghenyvalleylibrary.org. Cost: $19.99; youth shirts, $17.99. Those who purchase a shirt can come from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 25 to the library and tie dye their shirt. All supplies included. Proceeds from the sale will benefit the library and be matched by the Jack Buncher Foundation for Love Your Library month. Details: 724-226-3491

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

Leechburg

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

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.

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: Burrellton Garden Club will meet at 6:30 p.m. at Grace Community Presbyterian Church, 2751 Grant St. Roxanne Swan discuss, “Native Plants for Challenging Spaces.” Guests welcome. Details and guest registration: 724-335-3353

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. This week’s meals are sponsored by the deacons of United Presbyterian Church of New Kensington. Those picking up meals are reminded to observe social distancing while waiting in line.

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 with new selections. Social distancing will be observed, and masks are required except when eating. Public welcome. Details: 724-448-7403

Oct. 9: Tables reservations are being accepted for a craft and vendor show at East Ken Community Center, 1785 Seventh St. Cost: $10. Details: Marie, 724-472-5106

Oct. 16: Knead Community Café is accepting space applications from crafters and vendors for a harvest fair set for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the café, 1011 Barnes St. Applications: marciecoveyleo@gmail.com or stop in from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays or 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays at the cafe

North Apollo

Oct. 9: North Apollo Volunteer Fire Department is seeking food truck vendors and basket auction donations for its food truck rally set for 4 to 9 p.m. at the firehall, 311 16^th St. Details and applications: Chris at nachief170@gmail.com or leave a message at the station at 724-478-4260

Parks

Thursday: Parks Township Sportsman Club Association will meet at 7:30 p.m. at the club, 1111 Shipman Road. There will be a vote on a bylaw change. 2022 dues are now payable and will be accepted from 9:30 to 11 a.m. daily. Applications are available at the door and can be mailed in.

Saxonburg

Thursday: Organ concerts and hymn sings will be at 6 and 7 p.m. at St. Lutheran Church, 310 W. Main St. as part of the monthly Mingle on Main event. Ellen Dodge will be the featured organist.

Springdale

Sept. 21 and 28: Springdale Free Public Library is accepting reservations for Tuesday Story Times. Schedule: Read to Me, infants to 2 years old, 10:30 to 11 a.m.; and Story Explorers, ages 3 and 4, 11:15 a.m. to noon. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-274-9729

Sept. 23: The Mystery Lover’s Book Club at Springdale Free Public Library will meet at 10 a.m. at the library, 331 School St. The selection will be, “A Share in Death,” by Deborah Crombie. Copies available at the library. New members welcome. Reservations: 724-274-9729

Sept. 24: Springdale Free Public Library is accepting orders for pies, cinnamon rolls, pumpkin rolls, apple dumplings and snails from The Pie Shoppe in Laughlintown. Varieties: chocolate meringue, coconut meringue, lemon meringue, apple, dutch apple, blackberry, wild blueberry, razzleberry, cherry, peach and raisin, all $10; pumpkin rolls, $10; 6 cinnamon rolls with white icing, $7; 6 cinnamon rolls with cream cheese icing, $7.50; apple dumplings, 3 for $8; 12 snails, $7.50. Order deadline: today. Pick-up: after noon Sept. 24 at the library, 331 School St. Orders: 724-274-9729

Tarentum

Today: 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.

Wednesday: The Elks will host bingo at 7 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.

Wednesday: BridgePoint Church will offer, “Stop, Drop and Read,” from 3 to 4 p.m. in the church children’s library, 400 E. Ninth Ave. Free children’s grab-and-go meals will be distributed.

Wednesday: The Tarentum Farmers Market will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the upper parking lot of First United Presbyterian Church, 913 Lock St.

Vandergrift

Wednesday: A dine-in Dollar Dinner will be served from 4 to 6 p.m. or until sold out at First United Methodist Church, 134 Custer Ave. Menu: spaghetti with meatballs, tossed salad, bread and butter, pudding cup and bottled water, $1. No take-out orders. Details: 724-568-5575

Wednesday: The YoYos Needles Art group at Vandergrift Public Library will meet from 2 to 4 p.m. in the library reading room, 128C. Washington Ave. All skill levels welcome. No reservations required. Details: 724-568-2212

Thursday: The Farmers Market will be open from 4 to 6:30 p.m. in the Columbia Avenue parking lot. Details: vandergriftfarmersmarket.weebly.com/

Sept. 22: Vandergrift Public Library will host a Home School Meet Up and Think Tank at 11 a.m. at the library, 128C Washington Ave. Homeschoolers of all ages are welcome to meet others and learn about the resources at the library. The group plans to meet monthly. Registration required. Registration: 724-568-2212

Verona

Saturday: Twin Boro Apaches Football Team will sponsor a comedy night at 8 p.m. in the Eagles upstairs ballroom, 315 James St. There will be a DJ and three comedians. Admission: $25, includes beer and Italian buffet. Tickets: J.B. Schaal, 412-735-5806 or Joe, 412-337-0384 The event is part of the Verona 150^th anniversary celebration.