The Stroller, Sept. 30, 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.

Free workshop series about healthy streams, ponds offered

A free online workshop series, “Riparian Landowner Workshops,” for those who own property near a creek, pond or river will be offered from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Oct. 15, 22 and 29 by the Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania.

Topics and dates are:

• Oct. 15: Healthy buffers, healthy streams and invasive species: how to identify and treat them.

• Oct. 22: In-stream work: best practices, woody debris and managing streams for wildlife

• Oct. 29: clean water starts here: best practices for around the home and stream restoration and stream bank stabilization

Participants will receive a free tree. Those who participate in all three events will get three trees.

For information and to register, contact the Audubon Society at 412-963-6100 or visit aswp.org.

Free food distribution set in Oakmont

St. Paul Baptist Church, 180 Delaware Ave., Oakmont will host a free drive-thru food box distribution from noon until supplies run out Thursday at the church.

Boxes will include produce, dairy products and meat. No advance registration or appointments are required.

Help available from HOPE Center hotline

If social distancing has forced you into an unsafe situation, help is available by calling the Alle-Kiski HOPE Center 24-hour hotline at 724-224-1266.

The hotline provides information about domestic violence, community resources, safety planning, support and more.

Food collection underway at Vandergrift VFW

The Vandergrift Veterans of Foreign Wars is collecting non-perishable food items for local veterans in need.

A drop-off box is located behind the outer doors of the VFW, 141-143 Sumner Ave.

Free movie to be screened at Hartwood Acres Park

The last free Allegheny County Date Night Drive-In Movie of the season will feature the film, “Grease,” rated PG-13, at sundown Friday at Hartwood Acres Park Amphitheater parking lot, Indiana Township.

Gates open at 7 p.m. Attendance is limited to the first 300 vehicles so plan to arrive early. Movie audio is played through a radio transmitter on 87.9 FM.

Vandergrift Meals On Wheels seeks volunteers

Vandergrift Meals On Wheels is in need of regular and substitute volunteers to help with food packing, driving and delivering.

To offer your time and for more information, call 724-567-7893.

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

Buffalo Township

Tuesday: A community flu shot clinic will be from 4 to 7 p.m. in the cafeteria of Freeport Area High School, 625 S. Pike Road. District employees may receive their flu shots beginning at 3 p.m. Registration required. Registration: freeport.k12.pa.us/content2/826

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

Today: 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

Today: 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

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. 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

Parks

Friday: A takeout fish fry will be from 4 to 8 p.m. at Parks Township Volunteer Fire Department, 1119 Dalmation Drive. Menu: Fish sandwich or chicken strips, fries or macaroni and cheese, coleslaw and drink, $10. Orders: 724-567-5517

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

Today: 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  

Fridays and Saturdays: The Veterans of Foreign Wars will sell takeout food from 1 to 8 p.m. at the post, 141 Sumner Ave. Curb-side delivery available. Members welcome to dine in. Menu: visit the post Facebook page. Orders after 2 p.m.: 724-568-1427

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.