The Stroller, Sept. 27, 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.

Information sought for veterans tribute booklet

The Genealogy Group at Leechburg Area Museum and Historical Society is collecting information about veterans to be published in a booklet.

Copies of the book will be sold and displayed at the museum. Information and photographs of veterans from Leechburg, Gilpin, West Leechburg, Allegheny Township and Hyde Park are being collected. There is no cost to participate.

Submission forms and instructions are available from noon to 3 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays at the museum, 118 First St., Leechburg, and at the Leechburg Public Library, Leechburg borough building and at the drive-thru window at the Gilpin Tax Office. Deadline is Nov. 11. For questions, contact Judy Wright at 724-681-9154 or wrighton154@yahoo.com.

Allegheny Valley Association of Churches accepting donations for food bank

Donations are welcome for the Allegheny Valley Association of Churches food bank in Harrison.

Items most needed include canned meat, tuna and chicken, spaghetti sauce, sugar-free items, gluten-free items, toiletries, feminine products, cleaning supplies, baby formula and Ensure. Holiday cooking ingredients such as stuffing mix, canned sweet potatoes, gravy mix and baking supplies are also needed this time of year. Drop-off times are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays at the office, 1913 Freeport Road, Natrona Heights.

To make an online monetary contribution, visit avaoc.org/programs/food-bank/.

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

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

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

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.

Freeport

Wednesday: St. Mary Mother of God Church, 608 High St., will host a Vitalant community blood drive from 1 to 6 p.m. in the church hall. Appointments recommended. Appointments: 412-209-7000 or visit the Donate Blood button at Vitalant.org and use group code G0040286

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

Harrison 

Today: 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

Oct. 5: 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

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.

Sunday: 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

Leechburg

Today: 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.

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

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

Saturday: 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

Sunday: 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

Today: 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: 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

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: 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

Oct. 7: Springdale Free Public Library is accepting orders for a Fat Cats Subs sale. Varieties: Italian, ham or turkey, $9. Order deadline: Wednesday. Pickup: Oct. 7. Orders: 724-274-9729

Tarentum

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.

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.

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 

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

Sunday: 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