The Stroller, Dec. 13, 2024: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
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Food bank accepting donations for prepared baskets
Allegheny Valley Association of Churches Food Bank will give out specially prepared food baskets as a Christmas witness. Each basket will contain canned goods, fresh vegetables and a voucher to purchase meat.
Each $15 donation will provide a basket valued over $25 to a family in need. Help make someone else’s Christmas special. Mail your check payable to AVAC Food Bank with your name and address to: Allegheny Valley Association of Churches, 1913 Freeport Road, Natrona Heights, PA 15065. All donations will be acknowledged.
Santa to visit West Deer
West Deer Volunteer Fire Department No. 3 will bring Santa through its part of the township on Sunday and Monday.
The tentative schedule is: 4 p.m. Sunday, Cedar Ridge Plan, Grouse Run, Steeplechase, Shoff Farms and Lager Farms; and 6 p.m. Monday, Fawn Haven No. 2, Fawn Haven No. 3, Hytyre Farms, Hunt Club, Whispering Pines, Copper Creek, Bairdford and the Links at Deer Run.
Beer fest to raise funds for Knead Community Cafe
Tortured Souls Brewing, New Kensington, will host a fundraiser to benefit Knead Community Café from 2 to 5 p.m. Dec. 21 at the brewery, 715 Craigdell Road.
The Soltice of Shadows Beer Fest will feature craft beers from local and regional breweries and entertainment. Must be 21 to attend.
Tickets are $30; designated driver, $5. For tickets, visit tinyurl.com/2fjh4yd7.
Calendar
Apollo
Saturday: Apollo Memorial Library will sponsor “Christmas at the Library” from noon to 2 p.m. at the library, 219 N. Pennsylvania Ave. There will be free family photos with Santa, activity stations for children and snacks and hot chocolate. The 30th anniversary of the Genie Corey Memorial Children’s Room will be celebrated, and the new seating and shelving will be displayed. Co-sponsored by the Apollo Elks lodge. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-478-4214 or armstronglibraries.org/apollo.
Saturday: A kids Christmas party and Parent’s Day Out will be from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Grace Assembly of God, 609 First St. Ext. Lunch and snacks will be served. Children 12 and younger who are potty trained welcome. Reservations required. Reservations: tinyurl.com/GraceAGKidsParty.
Arnold
Today: A praise and worship service will be from 7 to 8 p.m. at The Tomb, 1821 Fifth Ave. Desiree Resetar will lead the worship. Details: 878-847-5646.
Saturday: St. Vladimir Ukrainian Catholic Church will have a pop-up pierogi sale from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at the church social hall, 1610 Kenneth Ave. Frozen and a limited amount of fresh pierogi will be available. Varieties: potato & cheese and sauerkraut, $14 per dozen. No orders will be accepted. Sales will be first come, first served.
Saturday: The American Legion will meet at 2 p.m. at the Arnold Public Safety Building, 601 Drey St. The group meets the second Saturday of each month.
Saturday: Arnold Recreation Commission will host a light up night from 6 to 8 p.m. in Roosevelt Park. There will music and hot chocolate, coffee and pastries will be sold. Free winter clothing will be available for those in need. Proceeds will benefit the city recreation committee.
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 57-number jackpot game, a 41-number picture frame game and a magic number game. Details: 724-478-4958.
Freeport
Saturday: The Lego Club for children age 10 to 17 will meet from 1:30 to 3 p.m. at Freeport Area Library, 428 Market St. The group meets the second Saturday of each month. Details: 724-295-3616.
Sunday: An Advent program of lessons and carols will be at 2 p.m. at St. Mary, Mother of God Church, 608 High St. Refreshments will be served afterward. Public welcome.
Harrison
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: 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: Allegheny County park rangers will host a free guided hike, “Hit the Trail,” from 1 to 3 p.m. at Harrison Hills Park, Freeport Road, Natrona Heights. Meet at the Baneberry shelter. The hike will be approximately two miles with moderate elevation changes. Bring water and wear closed toe shoes. Flashlights will be provided. Reservations required. Reservations: tinyurl.com/4exfdrt4.
Dec. 31: The Veterans of Foreign Wars will host a New Years Eve celebration from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. at the post, 894 Veterans Lane. Music will be by the Cool Change Band. Public welcome. Cost: $25, includes two drinks and food. Cash bar. Tickets: 724-904-7649.
Leechburg
Saturday: The Leechburg Museum is closed for the season. Visits are available by appointment. Details: 724-845-8914 and leave a message or email lamahs@windstream.net.
Saturday and Sunday: A craft and vendor fair will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Leechburg Volunteer Company, 268 Canal St. Details: Melissa, 724-332-9090 or allermelissa@comcast.net.
Dec. 31: Leechburg Area Community Association will sponsor a New Year’s Eve party from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. in the Marconi Club Mirror Room, 135 River Ave. Cost: $20, includes champagne toast at midnight and food. There will be a cash bar, prize drawing, basket raffle and DJ. BYO snacks. Designated drivers receive free soft drinks, water and iced tea. Tickets: text or call Allyson, 724-596-0738 or Kami, 724-994-8890 or stop in at Leechburg Public Library, 139 Market St.
Lower Burrell
Saturday: The city parks and recreation committee will host Christmas in the Woods from 2 to 5 p.m. at Kotecki Park, Wildlife Lodge Road. Local churches will participate and there will be a candy cane hayride, live Nativity animals, music, caroling, a s’mores bonfire, adult crafts, food booths, Christmas marketplace and Santa Claus. Non-perishable food items will be collected for a local food pantry A parade will begin at 7 p.m. at Hillcrest Shopping Center. After the parade until 8:30 p.m. the Stewart Lights the Season celebration will take place at Stewart School, Leechburg Road. There will be carol singing, refreshments and the lights on the tree in front of the school will be turned on.
Saturday: The ClothesLine Ministry at Bethesda Lutheran Church, 3084 Leechburg Road, will be open from 9 a.m. to noon. Cost: clothing, shoes and purses, 25 cents each or five for $1; semi/formal dresses and leather coats, $5. The jewelry room will be open. Please bring your own bags.
Saturday: The Veterans of Foreign Wars post, Wildlife Lodge Road, will feature the band G6 from 8 to 11 p.m. Members and three guests welcome.
Sunday: The American Legion, 1100 Wildlife Lodge Road, will be open for breakfast from 9 a.m. to noon. Menu: pancakes, creamed ground beef on toast, eggs made to order with toast, home fries, and sausage or bacon.
Oakmont
Dec. 20: Oakmont Candle Works, 727 Allegheny Ave, is collecting donations through Dec. 20 for the Books Bridge Hope Boxes of Goodness program. Items needed include children’s gloves, hats, socks, crayons and coloring books; and adult shampoo, deodorant, lotion and soaps.
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.
Parks Township
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.
Saturday : Cinebrunch movie event will be from 10 a.m. to noon at the municipal building, 2000 Mike Thomas Way. The featured film will be “The Grinch.” Cost: $3, includes a doughnut and drink. Space is limited and reservations are required. Reservations: link.plumboro.com/cinebrunch.
Saxonburg
Saturday: South Butler Community Library will conduct a holiday basket raffle. Cost: $5 for 10 tickets. Tickets: stop in at the library, 240 W. Main St. Details: 724-352-4810.
Saturday: A Breakfast with Santa will be from 8 to 11 a.m. at the ballroom at Saxonburg Volunteer Fire Company, 155 Pittsburgh St. Menu: eggs, pancakes, bacon, sausage and toast. There will be crafts and photo ops with Santa. Bring a camera. Cost: $10 per adult with up to two children; additional children, $5.
Springdale
Sunday: Springdale Veterans Association will sponsor a vendor fair from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the post, 1151 Pittsburgh St. There will be door prizes, food trucks and a 50-50. Funds raised will benefit Animal Protectors of Allegheny Valley.
Tarentum
Saturday: Central Presbyterian Church, 305 Allegheny St., will host its annual Christmas cookie sale from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the church. Premade trays: three dozen, $15; five dozen, $25. A la carte pick your own, $6 per dozen. Arrive early for the best selection. Details: 724-224-9220.
Saturday: The Masons will host a Christmas pancake breakfast from 8 to 11 a.m. at the lodge, 307 Lock St., second floor. Dine in or takeout. Public welcome. Cost: $10; children, $5.
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.
Upper Burrell
Saturday and Sunday: First Baptist Church, 3740 Seventh St. Road, will have a drive-thru live Nativity from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Come inside the church for cookies, coffee, hot chocolate and crafts.
Jan. 1: Upper Burrell Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 and Export Volunteer Fire Department are selling 2025 lottery calendars. Cost: $20. Details: 724-339-0965 or ubvfc115training@gmail.com.
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.
West Deer
Saturday: Deer Lakes Band Boosters will sponsor their annual craft and vendor show from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the high school, 163 East Union Road. There will be over 130 tables and the middle school and high school bands will perform. Admission: $1; younger than 5, free. Proceeds will benefit the Deer Lakes band programs.