The Stroller, Sept. 2, 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.

Donations welcome for the Friendship Garden Food Pantry

Donations for the food pantry in the Tarentum Friendship Garden can be dropped off at the pantry on First Avenue.

Items needed include cereal, bread, canned vegetables, soup, macaroni and cheese, rice, spaghetti and pasta sauce. Give what you can, take what you need.

Children’s charity collecting school, personal items

Christopher’s Light children’s charity is accepting donations of back-to-school and personal care items for children.

Items most needed include backpacks, notebooks, pens, pencils, crayons, markers, scissors, tape, folders, binders, hand sanitizer, facial tissues, toothbrushes, hair brushes, soap, body wash, shampoo, toothpaste, deodorant, lip balm, lotion and sunscreen. Donations can be dropped from 9 to 11 p.m. Tuesdays at 202 Point St., Saltsburg. For alternate times, call 724-448-1349. Monetary donations should be mailed to P.O. Box. 94, Apollo PA 15613

HOPE Center offers shelter for families and pets

The Alle-Kiski HOPE Center offers a Sheltering Animals and Families Together (SAF-T) Kennel to victims of domestic violence who are fleeing abuse with their pets.

The kennel allows families to bring their pets with them safely to an on-site kennel during their shelter stay.

All services are free and confidential. For information, call the center’s 24-hour hotline at 724-224-1266.

Calendar

Apollo

Monday: St. James Parish is selling tickets for a Labor Day lottery ticket raffle. The winner will receive one roll of $5, $10 and $20 Pa. Lottery scratch-off tickets. Cost: $10 for two numbers. The winning number will be the first officially drawn Pick 3 number at 7 p.m. on Labor Day. Proceeds benefit the church operating budget. Tickets: Linda, 724-882-8776, at the parish office or in the vestibule after weekend Masses.

Sept. 11: 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. All vendors needed. Cost: $20 per table; without electricity, $15. Details: Linda, 724-882-8776

Sept. 18: Tickets are on sale for the Apollo Area Historical Society 50+1 Anniversary banquet planned at Apollo First Evangelical Lutheran Church, 214 N. Pennsylvania Ave. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Admission: $25. Tickets: 724-478-2899, stop in from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays at the WCTU Building, 317 N. Second St., or send a check made out to AAHS to P. O. Box 434, Apollo PA 15613

Arnold

Saturday: Homemade doughnuts will be sold from 6 to 10 a.m. at Calvary Lutheran Church, 1721 Victoria Ave. Orders: 724-335-0101

Saturday: Arnold United Methodist Church, 1801 Leishman Ave., will host an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast from 8 a.m. to noon at the church. Menu: choice of plain, blueberry, pecan and chocolate chip pancakes or french toast, sausage and drink. Dine in or take out. Cost: $7.50; 12 and younger, $5. Details: 724-339-2377

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

Sept. 10: St. Vladimir Church, 1610 Kenneth Ave., will resume its weekly pierogi sale. Varieties: potato and sauerkraut. Pickup: 12:30 to 4 p.m. Fridays at the church social hall. Face masks required at pickup. Cost: $10 per dozen. Orders: 724-339-9257, 8 to 10 a.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays beginning Thursday.

Brackenridge

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

Cheswick

Today: The Pittsburgh Shrine Center will present a free outdoor concert featuring Miss Freddye’s Blues Band 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.

East Vandergrift   

Monday: Our Lady, Queen of Peace Parish is selling tickets for a Labor Day weekend cash raffle. Winners will be the first officially drawn Pick 3 number of the 7 p.m. Sept. 4, 5 and 6 drawings. Prizes are $500 Sept. 4 and 5 and $1,500 Sept. 6. Cost: $10 for two numbers. Tickets: Debbie, 724-859-3186, at the parish office or in the vestibule after weekend Masses.

Sept. 18: Our Lady, Queen of Peace Church will have a cash bash at 7 p.m. the church, 420 McKinley Ave. Doors open at 5 p.m. Admission: $25, includes food, beverages and chances to win $3,000 in prizes. Must be at least 21 to attend. There will be pull tabs, 50/50 raffles and a basket raffle. Tickets: Crystal, 724-882-9212, at the parish office or in the church vestibule after Sunday Mass

Freeport

Today: Freeport Renaissance Association will meet at 7 p.m. at 1833 Coffee & Tea Co., 300 Fifth St. Plans will be finalized for the Sept. 18 and 19 September by the River event. Refreshments will be available.

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

Harrison

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.

Kiski Township

Today: Kiski Township Planning Commission will meet at 6 p.m. at the municipal building, 1222 Old State Road.

Saturday: A flea market and craft show will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the parking lot of Kiski Township Firehall, 1037 Route 56. Cost: $10 per space. Vendor information: 724-681-2023

Leechburg 

Today: Leechburg Public Library will host an Adult Game Night at 5 p.m. at the library, 139 Market St.

Today: 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

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.

Sept. 11: Church of God is accepting space reservations for a parking lot treasures sale set for 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the church, 273 Chester Dr. Cost: $5 for two parking spaces No food vendors please. Reservations and details: 724-335-4422 or lbcog@hotmail.com

New Kensington

Today: 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 St. George Orthodox Church. Those picking up meals are reminded to observe social distancing while waiting in line.

Today: 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

Friday: East Kensington Community Circle will have salad bingo in the community circle building, 1785 Seventh St. Road. Food will be served at 6 p.m. and bingo begins at 7:30 p.m. Cost: $7, includes food, one board and a chance to win a door prize. Public welcome.

Saturday through Monday: The Community Clothes Closet, 1129 Kenneth Ave., will be closed for the Labor Day holiday.

Sunday: A drive-thru pasta dinner to benefit Lost Dreams Awakening will be from noon to 4 p.m. at 408 Eighth St., rear. Menu: pasta, meatball, salad, bread and beverage, $10. Tickets: 724-594-7993

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

Plum

Today: Holiday Park Volunteer Fire Department will host bingo at the firehall, 415 Old Abers Creek Road. Doors open at 5 p.m. Face masks required. Details: holidayparkvfd.org/ under the weekly bingo tab.

Saxonburg

Sept. 11: Sponsor the Troops will host a motorcycle poker run at the Saxonburg Veterans of Foreign Wars, 572 W. Main St. Registration will be at 9 a.m. and the group will depart at 11 a.m. Cost: $20 per rider; $10 per passenger. Proceeds provide morale, welfare and recreation items to our deployed troops. Details: sponsorthetroops.com

South Buffalo

Sept. 10: St. Mary, Mother of God Church will have a fall festival and Oktoberfest from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. at Renshaw Farms, 314 Ford City Road. There will be food, wineries, a brewery and dancing. Music will be by the 56 East Band. Cost: $30; table of 10, $270. Tickets: Bridget, 724-294-0089 or Jeff, 724-596-0503

Springdale

Friday: Springdale Veterans of Foreign Wars will host a community blood drive from 12:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the lodge ballroom, 1151 Pittsburgh St. Appointments recommended. Bring ID. Donors will receive a free T-shirt. Appointments: 412-209-7000 or visit donateblood.centralbloodbank.org and search for group code C3750040

Sept. 14, 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. 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: Sept. 13. Pick-up: after noon Sept. 24 at the library, 331 School St. Orders: 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

Vandergrift

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

Tuesday: Vandergrift Public Library will offer a Board Game Night for students in grades 6 to 12 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the library. 128C Washington Ave. Play one of the library’s games or bring your own. Snacks will be served. Reservations encouraged. Reservations: 724-568-2212

Verona

Sept. 18: 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.

Washington Township

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

Saturday: Deer Lakes High School Soccer Boosters will host SoccerFest 2021 at the high school, 163 E Union Road. Games start at 9 a.m. Admission: $5; students, $2. There will be a full concession stand, T-shirt sales, raffles and children’s activities.