The Stroller, Sept. 8, 2021: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley

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

Wine and beer festival set Saturday in New Kensington

The New Kensington Wine and Beer Festival will be from 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday on Fifth Avenue in downtown New Kensington.

Admission to the festival is free and there will be food vendors, entertainment, crafters and artists.

A $20 tasting fee includes unlimited samples from vendors and one free beer from the Beer Tent. A portion of Brew Tent proceeds will be donated to the New Kensington Recreation Commission. Tickets to the Brew Tent are available at Eventbrite.com and at the gate. The event is sponsored by the Alle-Kiski Strong Chamber of Commerce.

Astronomers plan weekend Star Party

Amateur Astronomers of Pittsburgh will host a Star Party at 7:35 p.m. Saturday in the Nicholas E. Wagman Observatory, 225 Kurn Road, in Deer Lakes Regional Park, Frazer, weather permitting.

Amateur astronomers, students and the general public are welcome. Bring binoculars, a blanket and camping chair. If you obtained a telescope recently and don’t know how to use it, you are invited to bring it. Members of the group will help you. Please use parking lights only when you drive through the park gate.

Donations will be accepted. For information, visit 3ap.org or call 724-224-2510.

Afterschool reading help available for children

Redemption Church in Lower Burrell will offer an after-school reading tutoring outreach this fall for students in second through fifth grade who need reading help.

Applications are being accepted. A free reading assessment clinic will be by appointment Sept. 14 at the church, 232 Hillcrest Drive. Volunteers are also welcome. For an appointment, contact Janet Smith at 724-237-5234 or tutor@redemptionpa.org.

Freeport football team to honor veterans Friday

The Freeport Area High School football team will honor local veterans at the Friday home football game.

A Remembering Everyone Deployed (RED) ceremony will begin at 6:30 p.m. during pregame festivities. Local veterans will take the field to be honored and residents of the Mechling Shakley Veterans Center in Cowansville are invited to attend the game. The football boosters will donate all of the proceeds from the 50/50 raffle to the center. Kickoff between Freeport and Avonworth will be at 7 p.m.

Calendar

Apollo

Today: The Wheel Good Wednesday food truck event sponsored by the Apollo Events Committee and Apollo Area Historical Society will be from 5 to 8 p.m. at the old Stanford lot on Clifford Avenue. Food truck vendors who would like to participate at a future event should email apolloevents@gmail.com.

Today: 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

Saturday: 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

Sept. 18: Tickets are on sale for the Apollo Area Historical Society 50+1 Anniversary banquet planned at Apollo First Evangelical Lutheran Church, 214 N. Pennsylvania Ave. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Admission: $25. Tickets: 724-478-2899, stop in from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays at the WCTU Building, 317 N. Second St., or send a check made out to AAHS to P. O. Box 434, Apollo PA 15613

Arnold

Friday: St. Vladimir Church, 1610 Kenneth Ave., will resume 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: 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.

Cheswick

Thursday: The Pittsburgh Shrine Center will present a free outdoor concert featuring Heidi and the Hellcats from 7 to 9 p.m. under cover at the center, 1877 Shriners Way, Cheswick. Gates open at 6 p.m. Seating and tables will be provided, and food and beverages will be sold. No outside food and beverages, please.

Fox Chapel

Friday and Saturday: Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church will host a Harvest Fair rummage sale from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the church, 384 Fox Chapel Road. Barbeque chicken dinners and mushroom sandwiches will be sold Saturday. Admission: Friday, $5 plus a donation for area food banks; Saturday, free. Proceeds will benefit local children’s and women’s charities. Face masks encouraged.

Freeport

Today: 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

Thursday: Freeport’s Food Truckin’ will be from 4 to 8 p.m. in the parking lot of Laube Hall. Vendor fees are $25 for the first week and $50 for each additional week and will benefit Restore Freeport Community Park. Details: Jackie, 724-234-9373

Gilpin 

Thursday and Sept. 16: Cub Scout Pack 553 will host sign-up nights from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in Gilpin Park pavilion 2 in Gilpin-Leechburg Park, Park Road. Details: Adam Spiering, 412-889-1295 or adampatty@windstream.net

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

Sept. 14: An American Red Cross Blood community blood drive will be from 12:30 to 6 p.m. at Gilpin Volunteer Fire Hall, 113 Fire Hall Road. Appointments: 800-733-2767 or visit redcrossblood.org and use sponsor code GTVFD

Harrison 

Today: The Agape Thrift Shop at Grace United Methodist Church, 1333 Freeport Road, will be open from 1 to 4 p.m. Masks required.

Today: 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.

Friday: Natrona Heights Veterans of Foreign Wars will have bingo at 7 p.m. at the post, 894 Veterans Lane. Doors open at 6 p.m., and there will be specials, a 50/50 raffle and final game jackpot.

Monday: Allegheny Family Network and Powered by Love will sponsor a Working Parent to Parent Support Group from 6 to 8 p.m. at Allegheny Family Network North office, 1600 Pacific Ave., suite 10. In person and online attendance available. Childcare and refreshments provided. Registration required by Monday. Registration: Jean Ericsson, 724-594-5968

Sept. 17: Community Library of Allegheny Valley will host, “Discovering Family Roots: Extra! Extra! Finding Your Ancestors in Newspapers,” at 1 p.m. in the library, 1522 Broadview Blvd., Natrona Heights. Pamela Israel, genealogist from “Unlock Your History,” will be the speaker. Reservations and face masks required. Reservations: alleghenyvalleylibrary.org

Sept. 25: Community Library of Allegheny Valley is selling “Love Your Library” T-shirts at alleghenyvalleylibrary.org. Cost: $19.99; youth shirts, $17.99. Those who purchase a shirt can come from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 25 to the library and tie dye their shirt. All supplies included. Proceeds from the sale will benefit the library and be matched by the Jack Buncher Foundation for Love Your Library month. Details: 724-226-3491

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

Indiana

Saturday: An American Red Cross Blood community blood drive will be from 9 to 3 p.m. at Indiana Community Freedom Fellowship Center, 905 McKnight Road. Appointments: 800-733-2767 or visit redcrossblood.org and use sponsor code HEROES911

Kittanning

Thursday: 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

Friday: Leechburg Public Library, 139 Market St., will offer a reading program for preschoolers at 10:30 a.m. There will be a story time, crafts, songs and dance. No reservations required.

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

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. Face masks and social distancing required.

Lower Burrell 

Friday: Westmoreland County Marines Detachment No. 1416 will meet at 7 p.m. at the American Legion, 1100 Wildlife Lodge Road. The day was changed due to the Labor Day holiday.

Saturday: Church of God is accepting space reservations for a parking lot treasures sale set for 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the church, 273 Chester Dr. Cost: $5 for two parking spaces No food vendors please. Reservations and details: 724-335-4422 or lbcog@hotmail.com

New Kensington

Thursday: 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 meals are sponsored in memory of Scott Nuttal. Those picking up meals are reminded to observe social distancing while waiting in line.

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 with new selections. Social distancing will be observed, and masks are required except when eating. Public welcome. Details: 724-448-7403

Saturday: Animal Protectors of Allegheny Valley will host an open house from 1 to 3 p.m. at their new facility, 730 Church St. There will be tours, a food truck and a basket raffle.

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: 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

Saxonburg 

Thursday: South Butler Community Library will host a free workshop on pollinator gardens at 6:30 p.m. at the library, 240 W. Main St. Mary Alice Koeneke will be the speaker. Details: 724-352-4810

Saturday: Sponsor the Troops will host a motorcycle poker run at the Saxonburg Veterans of Foreign Wars, 572 W. Main St. Registration will be at 9 a.m. and the group will depart at 11 a.m. Cost: $20 per rider; $10 per passenger. Proceeds provide morale, welfare and recreation items to our deployed troops. Details: sponsorthetroops.com

South Buffalo

Friday: St. Mary, Mother of God Church will have a fall festival and Oktoberfest from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. at Renshaw Farms, 314 Ford City Road. There will be food, wineries, a brewery and dancing. Music will be by the 56 East Band. Cost: $30; table of 10, $270. Tickets: Bridget, 724-294-0089 or Jeff, 724-596-0503

Springdale

Sept. 14, 21 and 28: 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

Sept. 24: Springdale Free Public Library is accepting orders for pies, cinnamon rolls, pumpkin rolls, apple dumplings and snails from The Pie Shoppe in Laughlintown. Varieties: chocolate meringue, coconut meringue, lemon meringue, apple, dutch apple, blackberry, wild blueberry, razzleberry, cherry, peach and raisin, all $10; pumpkin rolls, $10; 6 cinnamon rolls with white icing, $7; 6 cinnamon rolls with cream cheese icing, $7.50; apple dumplings, 3 for $8; 12 snails, $7.50. Order deadline: Sept. 13. Pick-up: after noon Sept. 24 at the library, 331 School St. Orders: 724-274-9729

Tarentum

Today: 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.

Today: 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.

Today: 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.

Friday: Tarentum Book Club will meet at the home of Peggy Bonfiglio. Pat Henry will discuss, “The Gown,” by Jennifer Robson. The committee will be Barb Reuning, Debbie Fugate and Holly Puett.

Vandergrift

Today: 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

Thursday: The Farmers Market will be open from 4 to 6:30 p.m. in the Columbia Avenue parking lot. Details: vandergriftfarmersmarket.weebly.com/

Friday: A food truck rally and bonfire will be from 4 to 9 p.m. at the field at Longfellow Street Extension and Route 56. Sponsored by Vandergrift Volunteer Fire Department No. 2, there will be a DJ, basket auction and 50/50 raffle.

Verona

Sept. 18: Twin Boro Apaches Football Team will sponsor a comedy night at 8 p.m. in the Eagles upstairs ballroom, 315 James St. There will be a DJ and three comedians. Admission: $25, includes beer and Italian buffet. Tickets: J.B. Schaal, 412-735-5806 or Joe, 412-337-0384 The event is part of the Verona 150^th anniversary celebration.

Washington Township

Friday: Washington Township Volunteer Fire Company will have bingo at 7 p.m. at the firehall, 4078 Route 66. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and sales start at 6 p.m. Free coffee. The kitchen will be open. Players must be at least 18 or accompanied by an adult.

West Deer

Today: East Union Presbyterian Church will have a takeout spaghetti dinner from 4 to 7 p.m. at the church, 292 East Union Road. Menu: spaghetti with choice of several sauces, salad, rolls and dessert. Donations will be accepted. Details: 724-265-1381