The Stroller, Sept. 29, 2020: 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.

Food distribution for veterans planned in Lower Burrell

The Westmoreland County Food Bank will host Militaryshare, a free food distribution for households who have at least one member who has served or is currently serving in the military, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 12 at the Lower Burrell American Legion, 206 Wildlife Lodge Road.

Advance in-person registration at the American Legion is required. Registrations will be accepted from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, 3 to 5 p.m. Oct. 7 and 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3 to 5 p.m. Oct. 14. Please bring a driver’s license or state ID with one of the following documents: DD-214, Military ID – active or retired, VA card or VFW Lifetime Card.

For questions, call Michelle at 724-468-8660, ext. 25.

Knead Community Café to distribute grab and go dinners

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 sponsor is Rametta Audiology and Hearing Aid Center. Those picking up meals are reminded to observe social distancing while they wait in line.

Rabies, distemper vaccination clinic set for Saturday

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

Cost is $15 for a one-year rabies vaccination, $20 for a distemper vaccination and $20 for a microchip. Animals can receive all three for $50. Cash only will be accepted.

Dogs must be on a non-retractable leash and cats must be in a carrier. Animals must be at least three months old to receive a rabies vaccination. Face masks and social distancing are required.

Concordia Oktoberfest drive-in fireworks display planned Saturday

Although the Concordia Lutheran Ministries annual Oktoberfest event was canceled due to the pandemic, the fireworks display will still go off on Saturday, weather permitting.

The public is welcome to arrive between 6:30 and 7:30 p.m. in the parking lot behind the Lund Care Center, 134 Marwood Road, Winfield. The fireworks will begin at 7:45 p.m.

Cars will be parked in every other spot to allow spectators to get out of their vehicles to watch the display. Once spots are full, the entrance will be closed to ensure proper social distancing.

For details, call 724-352-1571, ext. 8268.

Salvation Army offers free lunches

The Allegheny Valley Salvation Army and Community Center in Brackenridge offers free grab and go lunches from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursdays in parking lot at the center, 917 Brackenridge Ave.

Tarentum Spray Park closed for the season

The Tarentum Spray Park and the bathroom facilities in Riverview Memorial Park are closed for the season.

The borough thanks everyone who used the spray park this summer.

Hold the phone!

The Yarn Friends group at Community Library of Allegheny Valley meets at 5:30 p.m. the fourth Monday of each month online. All programs at the library are now being conducting virtually until further notice.

Calendar

Apollo

Thursday: Apollo Area Historical Society will meet at 7 p.m. at the WCTU Building, 317 N. Second St.

Nov. 3: Apollo Hose Company No. 2 is accepting orders for a soup sale. Varieties: vegetable beef, wedding and sweet or spicy chili. Cost: $7 per quart; $4 per pint. Order deadline: 6 p.m. Oct. 24. Pickup: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 3 at the fire hall, 325 N. Fourth St. Orders: call 724-549-1601 or message the company Facebook page with name, phone number, type and size soup

Arnold

Thursday: A praise and worship service will be from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. the community room of Arnold Towers, 1528 Horne Blvd., Arnold. The Revs. Carmen Butler and Harold M. Mele Jr. will be the speakers. Details: 724-334-1849.

Fox Chapel

Oct. 7: Fox Chapel Area High School will host a Vitalant community blood drive from 1 to 7 p.m. at the Vitalant Harmar/Fox Chapel Donor Center, 2585 Freeport Road, suite 207. Appointments are recommended, but walk-ins are welcome. All donors will be tested for antibodies to covid-19 for free. Appointments: contact Cyndi at 412-477-2957 or cfunk@itxm.org, call 412-209-7000, or click on the Donate Blood button at Vitalant.org and use group code HS010025

Freeport

Wednesday: The Thrift Store Clothing Ministry at Freeport United Methodist Church, 211 Fourth St., will be open from noon to 3 p.m. at the church. Winter clothing is available. Cash only. Donations must be laundered. Details: 724-295-2476

Gilpin

Thursdays: Gilpin Volunteer Fire Department kitchen will be open from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursdays for takeout food. Menu: visit the department Facebook page. Orders: 724-845-7200, leave a message

Harmar

Wednesday: Harmar Zoning Hearing Board will hold a public hearing at 7 p.m. at the township building, 701 Freeport Road.

Harrison

Thursday: Allegheny Family Network Circle of Parents will meet from 6 to 7:30 p.m. online the first and third Thursday of the month. Registration required. Registration: Rhonda, 412-438-6146

Indiana Township

Today: Indiana Township Supervisors will conduct a public hearing at 7 p.m. in the town hall, 3710 Saxonburg Blvd. on an application seeking tentative approval of the Hartwood Meadows Planned Residential Development.

Leechburg

Thursdays: 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  

Mondays through Thursdays: American Legion kitchen will be open for takeout orders from members and guests from 3 to 7 p.m. at the post, 1100 Wildlife Lodge Road. Menu: visit facebook.com/post868/. Orders: 724-339-9417

New Kensington 

Oct. 1: Animal Protectors of Allegheny Valley is taking orders for a Fat Cat’s Subs hoagie sale. Varieties: Italian, turkey and ham and cheese. Cost: $8, cash or check payable at pickup. Order deadline is 9 p.m. Sunday. Pickup: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4 to 6 p.m. Oct. 1 at the new building, 730 Church St. Orders: tlibengood@animalprotectors.net.

Oct. 24: Knead Community Café, 1011 Barnes St., is accepting applications from crafters and vendors for an outdoor fall harvest fair. Hours: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Rain or shine. Details: 878-302-3270 or kneadcommunitycafe.org/events

Plum School District

Today: Plum School Board will conduct the regular meeting at 7 p.m. in the high school library, 900 Elicker Road.

Saxonburg

Today: A free National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) support group for those living with a loved one’s mental illness will meet at 6 p.m. at ABBA House, 320 Main St. The group meets the last Tuesday of each month. No advance registration required. Details: 724-431-0069 or namibutler.org

South Buffalo 

Oct. 10: South Buffalo Volunteer Fire Department will host its annual purse bash at 2 p.m. at the firehall, 695 Freeport Road. Doors open at 12:30 p.m. Cost: $30, includes food and water. All other drinks BYOB. Only 250 tickets will be sold. There will be a basket raffle, bingo, 50/50, early bird specials and raffles for other purses. Tickets and details: call or text 724-355-3555

Springdale 

Oct. 12: The Maker Monday Club for children in third through sixth grade at Springdale Free Public Library will begin the season at 3:30 p.m. at the library, 331 Spring St. The club meets the second and fourth Monday of each month and includes a mix of STEM and crafting programs. Registering signs your child up for all of the programs. Children can not be registered for individual sessions. Face masks and social distancing required. Space is limited. Registration required. Registration: 724-274-9729

Tarentum

Wednesday: The Tarentum Farmers Market will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Face masks required.

Thursday: Rams Youth Football Association will sponsor a food truck fundraiser with Sonny’s Smorgasbord from 6 to 8 p.m. at Dreshar Stadium, First Avenue. A portion of proceeds will help the association keep costs affordable for families.

Vandergrift  

Wednesday: Vandergrift Public Library is having a book sale through Wednesday at the library, 128C Washington Ave. Cost: $3 per Giant Eagle bag; used puzzles and audio books, $1. Details: 724-568-2212

Cancellations and changes

Apollo

Apollo Area Historical Society has canceled all programs for the rest of the year, including the banquet.

Brackenridge

October: The Prospect Cemetery annual ghost tours are canceled. Details: 724-224-4552

Freeport

October: The Freeport Halloween carnival is canceled. 

Harrison

All activities at Burtner House are canceled through the end of the year.

Jefferson

October: The annual Knoch Craft Show to benefit the Knoch Girls Basketball program is canceled.

Leechburg

October: The Halloweenburg Festival is canceled.

Oakmont

Riverview Community Action Corp. is closed for all activities except home delivered meals. Questions: 412-828-1062

Parks Township

Saturday: The Cash Giveaway Bash sponsored by Upper Burrell and Parks volunteer fire companies is canceled.

Springdale 

Saturday: The Monte Carlo Night planned by Springdale High School Alumni Association is canceled. Association meetings are suspended until further notice.

Tarentum

October: The annual BooFest event is canceled.

November: The annual joint Christmas Parade with Brackenridge is canceled.