The Stroller, Sept. 8, 2023: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley

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

Let us know about your Halloween happenings

The Valley News Dispatch is compiling a list of autumn events and Halloween parades, parties and trick-or-treat nights that will run on The Stroller page and online.

Send information in writing to: Carol Pinto-Smith, Valley News Dispatch, 210 Wood St., Tarentum, PA 15084, email cpinto-smith@triblive.com or fax 724-226-4677.

AHN school of nursing to offer new part time option

The Allegheny Health Network Citizens School of Nursing is accepting applications for its new part-time registered nursing program that will begin in January 2024 at its location in Pittsburgh Mills Mall, Frazer.

Classes will be conducted on weekends and one evening per week for 36 months. Financial aid is available.

The application deadline is Nov. 15. For details, email csonadmissions@ahn.org.

Volunteers needed at Animal Protectors of Allegheny Valley

Animal Protectors of Allegheny Valley is looking for volunteers to help out at the shelter in New Kensington.

There are opportunities available every day to suit every person including dog and cat care, event and fundraising work, cleaning, maintenance, doggy day outs, fostering, office work and administration.

To offer your time, email volunteer@animalprotectors.net or visit animalprotectors.net.

Calendar

Allegheny Township

Saturday: A marching band festival will begin at 4:25 p.m. at Richard J. Dilts Field at Kiski Area High School. Gates open at 3:30 p.m. Featured bands will include Leechburg Area, Deer Lakes, Fox Chapel Area, Mars Area, Gateway, Connellsville Area, Norwin, Southmoreland, Upper St. Clair and Kiski Area. Cost: $10; students, $8.

Apollo

Today: Apollo United Presbyterian Church 401 First St., will have a sandwich and salad bar from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the church. Cost: $9. Details: 724-478-4807.

Sunday: Armstrong County President Judge James Panchik will present a program about the history of judges in Armstrong County at 6:30 p.m. at the Apollo Area Historical Society, WCTU Building, 317 N. Second St. Donations will be accepted.

Sept. 24: St. James Parish is selling tickets for a grocery giveaway raffle. Cost: $10, includes two numbers. The winner will receive 10 pounds each of chicken drums, wings, thighs and split breasts; boneless pork chops, T-bone steaks, shrimp, 80/20 hamburger, hot dogs, hot or sweet sausage, kielbasa, Delmonico steaks and bacon, a case each of corn, baked beans, water, soda and beer, a Blackstone LP gas griddle and a freezer. The winning number will be the 7 p.m. Sept. 24 Pa. Daily Pick-3 number. Tickets: Linda, 724-882-8776, after weekend Masses in the church vestibule and at the parish office.

Arnold

Saturday: Bethlehem Temple Faith Church will sell takeout barbecue ribs and chicken dinners from 1 to 4 p.m. at the church, 1374 Fourth Ave. Menu: ribs or half chicken, baked or green beans, bread and cake, $22. Orders welcome. Orders: 724-335-5445. Sponsored by the church trustee board.

Aspinwall

Sunday and Sept. 17: Terry Taylor will conduct historic walking tours of Aspinwall at 2 p.m. to benefit Aspinwall Neighbors. Cost: $25 in advance; $30 on event day; age 4 to 12, $10; younger than 3, free. Meet at 2 p.m. outside of Aspinwall Beans and Cream. Reservations: 412-480-0903 or terrynelsontaylor@verizon.net.

East Vandergrift

Sunday: Our Lady, Queen of Peace Parish will have bingo at 6:30 p.m. in the church social hall, 411 McKinley Ave. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. There will be a 48-number jackpot game, a 49-number picture frame game and a magic number game. Details: 724-478-4958.

Sept. 17: Our Lady, Queen of Peace Church will serve a brunch from noon to 2 p.m. in the church hall, 411 McKinley Ave. Menu: salad, quiche, French toast casserole, ham and cheese breakfast sliders, silver dollar pancakes, bacon, sausage, fruit cup, juice and coffee. Cost: $10; age 3 to 10, $5, 2 and younger, free. Reservations encouraged, but not required. Reservations: 724-216-7053.

Fawn

Saturday: Center Church will sponsor a community barbecue picnic from 2 to 8 p.m. at the church, 1575 Donnellville Road. There will be a pig roast at 4:30 p.m., a barbecue competition, music at 6:30 p.m. and games and activities for the whole family. Details: 724-226-2300.

Freeport 

Sunday: St. Mary, Mother of God Church, 608 High St., will offer a weekly GriefShare support group for anyone who has lost a loved one at 6 p.m. Sundays in the church Christian Mothers room. Participants can join at any session of the program. Details and registration: Claudia, 724-295-2281.

Gilpin

Today: A Red Cross community blood drive will be from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Gilpin Volunteer Firehall, 113 Firehall Road. Appointments: 800-733-2767 or visit redcrossblood.org and use sponsor code GTVFD.

Greensburg

Saturday: Westmoreland County Community College will host a free concert at 7 p.m. in the college Science Hall Theater featuring a band comprised of members of the five community bands in Westmoreland County, including members of the Kiski Valley Community Band. The concert is the culmination of the band’s recent concert tour in eastern Pennsylvania.

Harrison  

Today: Fish sandwiches and shrimp dinners will be sold from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Polish National Alliance, 14 Linden St., Natrona. Dine in or takeout. Cost: $7, includes fries and dessert. Other sides will be available. Orders: 724-224-4471.

Today: 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.

Saturday: Community Library of Allegheny Valley, 1522 Broadview Blvd., will offer a craft program at 2:30 p.m. to make Shrinky Dinks Children who are at least 10 years old welcome. No reservations required. Details: 724-226-3491.

Saturday: The Diaper Pantry at Christ Our Hope Anglican Church will distribute diapers from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the church, 926 Painter Ave., and at Sheldon Park, both in Natrona Heights. Recipients must drive up and remain in their vehicles. First-time recipients must provide their own identification, the child’s birth certificate and a current WIC or SNAP card.

Saturday: A clothing and toy giveaway will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Word of Faith Christian Fellowship, 42 Chestnut St., Natrona.

Sunday: The Knights of Columbus will host a pancake and sausage breakfast from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the council home, 28 Garfield St., Natrona. Cost: $7; younger than 6, $4.

Oct. 14: A gun bash will be from 2 to 6 p.m. at the Veterans of Foreign Wars, 894 Veterans Lane. Doors open at 1 p.m. Cost: $15, includes food and beverages. Sponsored by the post and auxiliary. Must be at least 21 to attend. No outside alcohol permitted. Tickets: Debbie, 412-298-6175.

Jefferson

Sunday: The Fishing with Your Grandparents event planned at Concordia Lutheran Ministries is canceled.

Sept. 17: A bingo fundraiser to benefit a disabled veteran will be at 3 p.m. at the American Legion, 754 N. Pike Road. Doors open at 1 p.m. Admission: $30. There will be a silent auction, pull tickets, refreshments and a 50/50. Tickets: Amy Curry, 724-355-0810.

Leechburg

Thursdays: The Al-Anon group that at First United Methodist Church has been disbanded and will no longer meet.

Lower Burrell

Saturday: The ClothesLine Ministry at Bethesda Lutheran Church, 3084 Leechburg Road, will be open from 9 a.m. to noon. Clothing, shoes and purses will be sold for 25 cents each or five for $1. The jewelry room will be closed.

Saturday: The Veterans of Foreign Wars will feature the band Americana from 8 to 11 p.m. at the post. Members and three guests welcome.

Saturday: The farmers market will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Bon Air Elementary School, 3260 Leechburg Road.

Saturday: A family craft time will be at 1 p.m. at Peoples Library, 3052 Wachter Ave. Details: 724-339-1021.

Sunday: Grace Community Presbyterian Church, 2751 Grant St., Lower Burrell, will host a meet-and-greet with Lower Burrell K9 Buc and his handler Officer Aaron Rodgers at 11:30 a.m. at the church. There will be a 45-minute presentation and hot dogs, chips and beverages will be served afterward.

New Kensington

Saturday: The Community Clothes Closet, 1129 Kenneth Ave., will be open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Items available include clothing for all members of the family, shoes and linens. First-time customers receive 15 free items. Winter clothing donations welcome during business hours.

Sunday: Aluminum City Terrace Activities Group will host bingo from 2 to 4 p.m. in the activities center, 136 Aluminum City Terrace. Doors open at 1:30 p.m. Cost: $3, includes one board, snacks and drinks; extra boards, $1 each. Public welcome.

North Apollo

Sept. 23: Tickets are on sale for a Haunted Halloween Bingo set for 7 p.m. at North Apollo Volunteer Fire Department, 311 N. 16^th St. Doors open at 5 p.m. Cost: $30, includes games, supplies, food and drinks. Must be 21 to attend. There will be instant games, a DJ and 50/50. Costumes encouraged. Reserved seating available for groups of eight or more. Tickets: 724-472-5346.

Parks Township

Today: Parks Township Volunteer Fire Department will host bingo at 7 p.m. in the firehall, 1119 Dalmation Drive. Doors open at 5 p.m.

Sunday: Parks Township Sportsman’s Club will have a country music jam night from 5 to 8 p.m. at the club, 1111 Shipman Road. Bring your favorite stringed instrument and sing along. Refreshments available. Public welcome. Details: 724-845-2390.

Plum

Sept. 23: Holiday Park Volunteer Fire Department will host a fall super bingo at 10 p.m. at the firehall, 415 Old Abers Creek Road. Doors open at 8 p.m. and early bird games begin at 9:30 p.m. Cost: $95, includes 18 cards of all 20 regular games, all specials and an assigned seat that will be held until 10 p.m. The kitchen will be open. Proceeds will benefit the fire department. Tickets: call or text Lori at 412-877-8793.

Saxonburg

Today, Saturday and Sunday: The annual Octoberfest will be from 4 to 9 p.m. today, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday at the volunteer firemen’s grounds, 290 Horne St. Free parking and shuttle service will be available from Lernerville Speedway. Details: spranklesoctoberfest.com.

South Buffalo

Sunday: A bingo will be at 6:30 p.m. at St. Mary, Mother of God Family Community Center, 407 Freeport Road. Doors open at 5 p.m. Cost: $21, includes 16 regular games. Extra packets available. There will be food, five specials, strip tickets and a must-go jackpot.

Tarentum 

Today: Tarentum Book Club will meet at the home of Kathy Zigo. Pat Henry will review “Remarkably Bright Creatures” by Shelby Van Pelt. The committee will be Mary Lou Beck, Debra Stephenson and Nicole White.

Saturday: The Clothing Closet at Central Presbyterian Church, 305 Allegheny St., will be open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Details: 724-224-9220.

Sunday and 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.

Washington Township  

Today: 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.

Sept. 30: Community Church of Pine Run EMC is accepting vendor applications for its annual fall Scholarship Festival set for noon to 4 p.m. at Kunkle Park, 283 Pine Run Church Road. Fee: $15. Details: pinerunemc.org/fallfestival2023.

West Deer

Saturday: Concerned Residents of West Deer (CROWD) will host a community meeting at 3 p.m. in Veterans Pavilion 1 of Deer Lakes Park to discuss issues impacting the township. Details: concernedresidents.org.

Winfield

Sunday: St. Francis of Assisi Parish will host its annual fall festival from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at St. Joseph Church, 315 Stoney Hollow Road. Ham and chicken dinners will be sold. Cost: $14; age 5 to 10, $6. Dine in or takeout. There will be a basket raffle, bingo, instant bingo tickets, 99 game, country store, kid’s games, food and a cash raffle.