The Stroller, Sept. 6, 2022: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley

Publicize your community events, fundraisers and club meetings for free in The Stroller. Send information at least a week in advance to vndnews@triblive.com or The Stroller, 210 Wood St., Tarentum PA 15084. Please include a daytime telephone number.

Leechburg Mingle on Market event set Thursday

The monthly Mingle on Market event will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday on Market Street in Leechburg.

Bring a chair to listen to Doug Carnahan on acoustic guitar from 4 to 6 p.m. and the 56 East Band from 6 to 8 p.m., both on the lawn of the Masons Hall. A farmers market will be in the parking lot beside Fox’s Pizza and there will food trucks in front of the Masons Hall. Downtown businesses will be open until 8 p.m. The event is sponsored by Leechburg Area Community Association.

Hometown Christmas production seeking performers

Rehearsals will begin Thursday for the 25^th production of Hometown Christmas at the Casino Theater, Vandergrift.

Anyone who would like to participate should come at 6:30 p.m. Thursday to Just Dance by Justine Albert Studio, 154 Farragut Ave., second floor, Vandergrift. Singers, dancers and actors age 5 to 85 are needed.

For more information, call 724-882-1596.

Salvation Army free lunch distribution offered Thursday

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

Free grocery items from Walmart and Aldi will be available. Everyone is welcome.

Calendar

Apollo

Thursday: The Yarn Good Time needle arts group at Apollo Memorial Library will meet from 5 to 7 p.m. at the library, 219 N. Pennsylvania Ave. to knit, crochet, embroider or cross stitch. All ages and skill levels welcome. Details: 724-478-4214.

Arnold

Today: The Tomb Coffeehouse, 1821 Fifth Ave., will serve a free lunch from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Bible study and fellowship will be from 7 to 9 p.m.

Friday : St. Vladimir Church, 1610 Kenneth Ave., is accepting orders for its weekly pierogi sale. Varieties: potato or sauerkraut. Pickup: 12:30 to 4 p.m. Fridays at the church social hall. Cost: $12 per dozen. Orders: 724-339-9257, 8 to 10 a.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Avonmore

Saturday: A super bingo will begin at 1 p.m. at the Avonmore Senior Citizen Center, 458 Railroad Ave. Cost: $20 in advance; $25 at the door. Free coffee and doughnuts will be served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tickets and details: 724-697-4014.

Bethel

Thursday : The Outdoor Discovery Center at Crooked Creek, 142 Kerr Road, will offer a program about crows and ravens with birder and blogger Kate St. John at 6 p.m. at the center. Reservations required. Reservations: armstrongcenter.org/odc-events.

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.

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

Burrell Township

Sept. 25: Burrell Township Volunteer Fire Department is accepting vendor applications for its fall festival at the firehall, 108 Cochrans Mill Road. Details: Call or text Crissy Schaeffer, 724-525-5002 or email cnschaeffer290@gmail.com.

East Deer 

Sept. 18: National Association of the Women’s Interactive Network is accepting table and space reservations for a flea market set for 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at East Deer Athletic Field, 700 Front St., Creighton. Cost: $25 for a 12 x 12-foot space paid in advance. No electricity available. Setup will begin at 7 a.m. No food or drink vendors. The association provides networking, professional mentoring and education to women experiencing economic hardships. Reservations: 412-965-3971, info@na-win.com or na-WIN.com.

Freeport  

Sept. 24: St. Mary Mother of God Parish will host a fall festival from 6 to 10 p.m. in the church social hall, 608 High St. Breweries and wineries will be on hand and there will be heavy appetizers, dancing and indoor and outdoor seating. The 56 East Band will entertain. Cost: $30. Tickets: Bridget, 724-448-9645 or Jeff, 724-596-0503.

Sept. 28: St. Mary Mother of God Parish, 608 High St., will host a Vitalant community blood drive from noon to 5 p.m. in the church hall. Appointments recommended. Appointments: 412-209-7000 or visit donateblood.centralbloodbank.org and use group code G0040286.

Gilpin

Thursday: Leechburg Public Library will sponsor a preschool storytime with Gilpin Firefighters at 10:30 a.m. at Gilpin Volunteer Firehall, 113 Firehall Road. There will be a story, craft, activity, game and snack. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-236-0080.

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

Sept. 16: A Red Cross community blood drive will be from noon to 5 p.m. at Gilpin Volunteer Firehall, 113 Firehall Road. Appointments: 800-733-2767 or visit redcrossblood.org and use sponsor code GTVFD.

Sept. 17: A super bingo to benefit Gilpin police K9 Rudy will be at 7 p.m. at the township firehall, 113 Firehall Road. Doors open at 5 p.m. Admission: $50, includes one game pack and one special pack. Extra game packs will be sold at the door and the kitchen will be open. Regular game payouts will be $60, specials will be $300 each and there will be one must-go jackpot game that will award $2,000. There will be a silent auction, strip tickets and a 50/50. Tickets: at the firemen’s regular bingo Thursdays at the firehall; at the municipal building, 589 Route 66; or call Sharon at 724-845-0981.

Harmar

Thursday: The free music series at 7 p.m. in the Pittsburgh Shrine Center pavilion, 1877 Shriners Way, will feature the Miss Freddye’s Blues Band. Gates open at 6 p.m. Rain or shine. Free parking and food and drinks will be available. No tailgating, outside food or beverages permitted. The weekly event is sponsored by Band Together Pittsburgh, Moondog’s and the Pittsburgh Shrine Center.

Harrison 

Today: Community Library of Allegheny Valley will offer a behind-the-scenes look at the book, “Frank’s Bear Cave,” with author Glenn Harvey at 6 p.m. at the library, 1522 Broadview Blvd. Online participation available. Reservations required. Reservations: alleghenyvalleylibrary.org.

Thursday: Burtner House Restoration Society will meet at 6:30 p.m. at the Harrison Municipal Building, 1 Municipal Drive, Natrona Heights. Details for the Oct. 8 Fall Festival will be discussed. Volunteers are needed. Details: bhrs1821@gmail.com.

Thursday: Natrona Heights Veterans of Foreign Wars will host a car and bike cruise from 5 to 9 p.m. at the post, 894 Veterans Lane. Weather permitting. There will be food, music and a 50/50 raffle.

Thursday: Friends of Community Library of Allegheny Valley will meet at 10 a.m. in the library, 1522 Broadview Blvd. Details: 724-226-3491.

Sept. 13: Allegheny-Kiski Health Foundation and Eureka Fire Rescue EMS will offer a free CPR/AED certification class for healthcare providers from 6 to 9 p.m. at the foundation, 1 Acee Drive, Natrona Heights. There may be a nominal fee for the certification card. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-294-3157.

Jefferson

Thursday: Bingo will be at 6:30 p.m. at the American Legion, 754 N. Pike Road. Doors open at 5 p.m. Under new management with higher payouts. The kitchen will be open. Proceeds benefit post and auxiliary projects.

Nov. 12: Table reservations are being accepted for the Knoch Knights Girls Basketball craft show at Knoch High School. Details: Shannon McGraw, 724-822-6803 or knochgirlscraftshow@gmail.com.

Kiski Township

Oct. 8: Kiski Township Volunteer Firemen will have a scrapbook day from 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the firehall, 1037 Route 56. Cost: $20. Bring a covered dish to share. Reservations required by Sept. 29. Reservations: 412-601-1782.

Leechburg  

Mondays: First Evangelical Lutheran Church, Leechburg, will sponsor a 13-week GriefShare support group for anyone who has lost a loved one at 6 p.m. Sept. 12 through Dec. 12 in the church social hall, 358 Main St. Participants can join at any session of the program. Details and registration: 724-845-7518 or visit griefshare.org.

Today : First United Methodist Church, 251 Main St., will host a Vitalant community blood drive from 2 to 7 p.m. in the church fellowship hall. Appointments recommended. Appointments: 412-209-7000 or visit donateblood.centralbloodbank.org and use group code G0110175.

Thursday: 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.

Dec. 10 and 11: Table reservations are being accepted for a Christmas craft and vendor show planned from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Leechburg Volunteer Firehall, 268 Canal St. Cost: $30 per day or $50 for both days, includes one table and two chairs. Details: Melissa, 724-332-9090 or allermelissa@comcast.net.

Lower Burrell

Today: Peoples Library will offer a storytime for preschoolers at 1 p.m. at the library, 3052 Wachter Ave. Children 3 to 6 years old and their caregivers welcome. No reservations required. Details: 724-339-1021.

Thursday: Peoples Library will host an arts and crafts hour for children 6 and younger and their caregivers at 1 p.m. at the library, 3052 Wachter Ave. No reservations required. Details: 724-339-1021.

Manor   

Oct. 8 and 9: Vendors applications are being accepted for the Fall For Animals Festival set for 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 8 and noon to 5 p.m. Oct. 9 at Crooked Creek Horse Park, 467 Crooked Creek Dam Road. Cost: $60 for a 10 x 20-foot space. Spaces will be assigned by lottery. Electricity is available. Vendors must participate both days open to close. Paid reservation deadline: Sept. 23. Details: Rini, 724-859-3559.

McCandless

Wednesday: The Sealarks Women’s Group will have a dinner to kick off the year at 4 p.m. at Memorial Park Church, 8800 Peebles Road. The group provides Christian fellowship and social activity for women who are widowed, divorced or never married. Dinner cost: $10. New members welcome. Details and reservations: Karen, 412-366-3109.

New Kensington

Today: Peoples Library will offer a storytime for preschoolers at 11 a.m. at the library, 880 Barnes St. Children 3 to 6 years old and their caregivers welcome. No reservations required. Details: 724-339-1021.

Thursday: Knead Community Café in New Kensington will hand out free grab-and-go meals from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the café, 1011 Barnes St. This week’s meals are sponsored by Jennifer MacNeill in memory of Thomas Kaniecki.

Thursday: Sally’s Outdoor Market will be from 2 to 6 p.m. weather permitting, at the Salvation Army, 255 Third St. There will be fresh produce, plants, baked goods, hot foods and more. Vendor spaces available. Details: 724-335-7221, ext. 106 or lauren.suprano@use.salvationarmy.org.

Thursday: Peoples Library will host an arts and crafts hour for children 6 and younger and their caregivers at 11 a.m. at the library, 88 Barnes St. Details: 724-339-1021.

Thursday: 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. Public welcome. Details: 724-448-7403.

Thursdays: The Secular Organization for Sobriety/Save Our Selves (SOS) a support group for people recovering from alcohol and drug abuse, will meet a 7 p.m. at Lost Dreams Awakening Recovery Community Center, 408 Eighth St. Details: 724-556-0737.

Oakmont 

Today: Taking Pounds Off Sensibly (TOPS) meets at 6 p.m. at Oakmont United Methodist Church, 419 Maryland Ave. Monthly dues: $5; first meeting is free. Details: vrevilla@pointpark.edu.

Sept. 13: Riverview Community Action Corporation will host a free history program about former Oakmont resident Jessie Mathews Vann. Debra Sandoe McCauslin will be the speaker. Public welcome. Reservations required. Reservations: 412-828-1062.

Penn Township

Sept. 23: A purse bash to benefit Good Samaritan Hospice Youth Bereavement Care will be at 6 p.m. at The Mansion, 141 Mansion Lane. Cost: $40, includes light appetizers and non-alcoholic beverages. Outside snacks and BYOB welcome. Winners need not be present. Bring a bottle of wine to receive a ticket for the win-it-all wine table. Sponsorship opportunities available. Tickets and details: 724-352-1571, ext. 8363 or give.concordialm.org.

Plum

Sept. 8 to Oct. 13: Plum Community Center, 499 Center New Texas Road, will offer a six-week seminar series, “Powerful Tools for Caregivers,” from 2 to 4 p.m. Thursdays beginning Sept. 8 at the center. Reservations required. Reservations: 412-795-2330.

Sept. 24: Logans Ferry Heights Fire and Rescue will sponsor a comedy dinner show at the firehall, 1001 Summit Ave. Doors open at 4:30 p.m., dinner will be served at 5 p.m. and the show begins at 7 p.m. Performers will include Sean Collier, Marcus Cox and headliner Mike Wysocki. Cost: $25, includes spaghetti dinner and dessert. There will be a cash bar and 50/50 raffle. Tickets: 724-339-2210.

Springdale

Thursday: Lower Valley Community Food Bank will distribute food from 1 to 3 p.m. Thursday from the rear entrance of the Springdale borough building. Do not arrive before 12:45 p.m. Anyone in need of food who lives in Springdale, Springdale Township, Cheswick, Harmar and the sections of Indiana Township and West Deer with a zip code of 15024 is welcome. New recipients can register Thursday.

Tarentum   

Today: 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 6:30 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.

Thursday: The free diaper bank at Highlands Family Center, 415 E. Fourth Ave., will be open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. One distribution per child per month is available. Details: 724-224-9006.

Vandergrift

Today: The YoYos Needles Art group at Vandergrift Public Library will meet from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in the library reading room, 128C. Washington Ave. All skill levels welcome. Details: 724-568-2212.

Thursday: The Farmer’s Market will be open from 4 to 6:30 p.m. in the Columbia Avenue parking lot.

Sept. 12: An American Red Cross Blood community blood drive will be from 1:30 to 6 p.m. in the banquet room of the Masons, 113 Washington Ave. Appointments: 800-733-2767 or visit redcrossblood.org and use sponsor code Vandergrift.

Nov. 6: Tickets are on sale for a His/Her Fundraiser Bash set for 2 to 5 p.m. in St. Gertrude Church Hall, 303 Franklin Ave. Prizes will include designer handbags, patio and outdoor items and tools. There will be a silent auction and 50/50. Cost: $30. Proceeds will be used to restore the church floor. Tickets and basket donations: Megan Kiebler, 724-882-5035.

West Deer 

Today: A food truck rally will be from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Nike Site Park, 4834 Gibsonia Road. Sponsored by the township parks and recreation board.

Sept. 24 and 25: West Deer Dog Shelter is seeking gift basket and gift card donations to raffle off at the township festival. Money raised will help with vet bills, food, cleaning supplies and other shelter expenses. Donations can be delivered to the shelter, 109 East Union Road, Cheswick PA 15024. Details: 724-265-2780, ext. 224.

Sept. 24: East Union Presbyterian Church is accepting space reservations for a fall craft show at the church, 292 East Union Road. Details: Mary Lynn, 412-767-5750.