The Stroller, Sept. 26, 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. Send an email to cpinto-smith@triblive.com.

Collection to benefit Veterans Leadership Program

Women of Alle-Kiski Engaging (WAKE) is collecting non-perishable food and personal products to be donated to Veterans Leadership Program.

Items needed include canned meat, tuna and chicken, pasta, noodles, rice, boxed dinners, granola bars, cleaning products, soap, shampoo, lotion, paper towels and toilet paper. The collection will continue through the end of October.

Donation boxes are located at Westarm Physical Therapy in Cheswick and Lower Burrell, Heritage Hospice in Lower Burrell, Dollar General and MinuteMan Press, both in Allegheny Township, Alle-Kiski Strong Chamber in Harrison, Havin’s Second Chance Shop in Kittanning, Springdale Free Public Library and Harvest Moon Coffee and Chocolates, Merle Norman Cosmetics and Blackburn’s Pharmacy, all in Tarentum.

Parents, kids invited to Discover and Learn

Community Library of Allegheny Valley in Harrison will host a program for families with children ages 1 through 3 to share together.

The two-week Family Place “Discover and Learn,” workshop will be at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 4 and 11 or at 10:30 a.m. Oct. 5 and 12 at the library, 1522 Broadview Blvd., Natrona Heights. Caregivers are welcome.

The workshop features toys, crafts, books and play. Childhood development specialists will be on hand to discuss parenting questions and concerns.

Class size is limited, and registration is required. To register, visit alleghenyvalleylibrary.org. For information, call the library at 724-226-3491.

Salvation Army seeking help with food pantry distribution

The New Kensington Salvation Army, 255 Third St., is looking for volunteers to assist with its food pantry distribution that is held from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. the first Friday of each month.

Help is needed to sort food and pack boxes, carry and lift boxes into cars and clean up and restock the pantry. Shifts are two to five hours long.

To offer your time, call Donna at 724-335-7221.

Calendar

Allegheny Township

Thursday: Vandergrift Public Library and Tiny Trax Farm will host a free Goat Storytime at 5:30 p.m. at the farm, 151 Stitt Ave. Those attending should wear old clothes and shoes. Space is limited and reservations are required. Reservations: 724-568-2212

Apollo

Oct. 9: 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

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

Arnold

Friday: 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 at pickup. Cost: $10 per dozen. Orders: 724-339-9257, 8 to 10 a.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays

Brackenridge

Today: Sons of the American Legion will serve an all you can eat community breakfast from 9 a.m. to noon in the American Legion, 845 E. First Ave. Cost: $7; younger than 12, $5.

Wednesdays: 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

Today: A take-out spaghetti dinner will be from 2 to 6 p.m. at the White Star Club, 401 Shuster Drive. Menu: spaghetti, salad and rolls $10; extra homemade meatballs, $3. Call ahead or order at time of pickup. Limited dine-in available. Orders: 724-295-2656

Harrison 

Monday: The Yarn Friends group at Community Library of Allegheny Valley will meet from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the library, 1522 Broadview Blvd. New members of all skill levels and ages welcome. The group is working on blankets for Project Linus. Registration required. Registration and supply list: Alleghenyvalleylibrary.com or 724-226-3491

Tuesday: Highlands School District will host Financial Aid Night at 6 p.m. in the high school audion. Amy Sawdey from the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency will discuss the different types of financial aid available. Juniors, seniors and their parents are encouraged to attend. Parents of seniors can stay afterward to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) with help from Sawdey. Face masks required. Reservations required for the FAFSA completion event. Reservations: Beth Carrarini, 724-226-2400, ext. 4651, or bcarrarini@goldenrams.com

Oct. 3: Natrona Heights Veterans of Foreign Wars will sponsor a drag queen bingo featuring Miss Thea’s Drag Queens at 2 p.m. at the post, 894 Veterans Way. Doors open at noon and food will be served from noon to 2 p.m. Cost: in advance, $30; at the door, $35, includes eight regular games and buffet. There will be a cash bar, specials, a silent auction and 50/50 raffle. Must be 21 to attend. Tickets: call or text 724-448-8624 or at the post

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

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

Monday: Leechburg Volunteer Fire Company will host bingo at 7 p.m. at the firehall, 268 Canal St. Doors open at 5 p.m. The kitchen will be open.

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: A takeout spaghetti dinner will be from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Moose, 53 Reimer St. Menu: spaghetti, salad and roll, $8. Orders: 724-335-4131

Oct. 2: Grace Community Presbyterian Church will host a spaghetti dinner to benefit Operation Christmas Child from 4 to 7 p.m. at the church, 2751 Grant St. Dine in or takeout. A silent auction will be conducted during dinner. Winner need not be present. Cost: $10; younger than 12, $7; advance tickets receive a $1 discount. Tickets: 11 to 11:30 a.m. Sundays at the church. Proceeds will be used ship gift-filled shoe boxes to children in need throughout the world. Details: 724-339-9661

Manor

Oct. 3: Go for a Walk in Penn’s Woods at 2 p.m. at the Outdoor Discovery Center at Crooked Creek, 142 Kerr Road. A naturalist will lead a hike on the Discovery Trail. Pets on leash welcome. Children can participate on a scavenger hike while walking the trail. Not wheelchair or stroller accessible. Reservations encouraged. Reservations: rachel@armstrongcenter.org

New Kensington

Thursday: St. George Orthodox Church is accepting orders for a cooked grape leaves sale. Cost: $12 per dozen, $6 for six. Pickup: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 30 at the church office, 1150 Leishman Ave. Order deadline: Sunday. Orders: 724-337-3918

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.

Today: The African American Behavioral Health Center of Excellence at the Morehouse School of Medicine will hold a listening session and introduction of self-study about how history impacts behavioral health equity for African Americans from 2 to 4 p.m. at Lost Dreams Recovery Center, 408 Eighth St. rear. Author Pamela Woll will be the speaker. Details: awakeninglostdreams@yahoo.com

Monday: A roundtable meeting to discuss ways to improve communication in the New Kensington-Arnold School District will be held at 6 p.m. in the cafeteria of Valley Jr.-Sr. High School, 703 Stevenson Blvd.

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: 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

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

Today: 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 

Today: Allegheny Foothills Historical Society will sponsor a program about the importance of corn in the mid- to late 1800s from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Carpenter Log House, Pierson Run Road, Boyce Park. Hands-on activities will include shelling and grinding corn, and making butter, cornbread and corn husk dolls. School-age children welcome. Tours of the house will be available. Donations will be accepted to support Carpenter Log House.

Today: A free car cruise with food trucks and music will be from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Boyce Park, 675 Old Frankstown Road. The Jinx will perform at 1 p.m. Sponsored by the Allegheny County Parks Department.

Saxonburg

Tuesday: The National Alliance on Mental Illness of Butler County will offer a free support group at 6 p.m. at Abba’s House, 320 Main St., for families and friends of those living with a mental illness. No reservations required. Details: 724-431-0069

Springdale  

Tuesday: 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

Tuesday: The Tuesday Night Book Club at Springdale Free Public Library will meet at 6:30 p.m. at the library, 331 School St. The selection will be, “The Day the World Came to Town: 9/11 in Gander, Newfoundland” by Jim Defede. Copies are available at the library. New members welcome. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-274-9729

Tarentum

Today 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.

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.

Vandergrift 

Oct. 3: Takeout barbecued chicken and pulled pork dinners will be sold from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Casino Theatre parking lot to benefit Vandergrift Meals on Wheels. Rain or shine. Menu: half barbequed chicken or pulled pork, baked beans, roasted potatoes, coleslaw, roll, butter and dessert, $10. Orders: 724-567-7893

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