The Stroller, Dec. 14, 2023: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley

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Santa Claus has scheduled visits in several local towns and townships.

Arnold

Arnold Fire Engine Company No. 2 will take Santa around town tonight and Friday on Riverside Drive up to Leishman Avenue. Rain date will be Saturday. Tuesday and Wednesday he will visit from Freeport Road to Victoria Ave. Rain date will be Thursday. Listen for the sirens and Christmas music. On Dec. 17 Santa will be available for visits from 4 to 8 p.m. in the Johnson Peltz Public Safety Building. No pets please.

Cheswick, Harmar and Springdale Township

Allegheny Valley Volunteer Fire Department will escort Santa on Saturday. Times are: 10 a.m., Highbury Park on Highbury Road in Chapel Downs; 10:30 a.m., Target parking lot; 11:45 a.m., Pearl and Center avenues; 11:55 a.m., Russellton Road; 12:15 p.m., Main and Spring streets; 12:25 p.m., Center, North Hamilton and South Hamilton streets; 12:35 p.m., Cambridge Manor; 12:40 p.m., Pillow Avenue from Cambridge to Parkview drives; 1:10 p.m., Pillow Avenue and Spruce Street; 1:20 p.m., Meadow Avenue from Cheswick to Herron avenues; 1:30 p.m., Allegheny Valley Volunteer Fire Company Station 2 on Grant Street; 1:45 p.m., Oak Street and South Atlantic Avenue; 1:55 p.m., North Highland Avenue from Pittsburgh to Fairmont streets; 2:05 p.m., Hill Avenue from Parkway Drive to Pittsburgh Street; 2:25 p.m., Butler Road from Bucknell Drive to Stanley Avenue; 2:45 p.m., Stoneybrooke Drive; and 2:55 p.m., Ridge Road.

Plum

Santa will be escorted by the Plum Fire companies on Saturday. Areas and times include 10 a.m., Logans Ferry; noon, Holiday Park; 1 p.m., Renton; and Unity in the evening.

Washington Township

Washington Township Volunteer Fire Company will escort Santa Claus through the township Saturday evening, weather permitting. The procession will leave the fire hall between 4 and 4:30 p.m. and go north to the Paulton area, south to Wellington Estates and finish in Washington Acres.

West Deer

Visits in West Deer will begin at 5:45 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The route Friday will be Bakerstown-Culmerville to Monier, Shuster, Logan, Moretti Trailer Park, Curtisville 1 and 2, Saxonburg Blvd. to Benjamin. Saturday’s route will be Saxonburg Blvd. to McKrell Road, Marshall, Poma, Russellton, Superior, Tarentum-Culmerville Road to Route 908 Extension, Millerstown-Culmerville Road to Blanchard. Sunday: beginning at 4 p.m. Cedar Ridge Plan, Grouse Run, Steeplechase, Shoff Farms and Lager Farms. Monday: after 6 p.m., Fawn Haven Nos. 2 and 3, Hytyre Farms, Hunt Club, Whispering Pines, Copper Creek, Bairdford and the Links at Deer Run.

Calendar

Allegheny Township

Friday: Alle-Kiski Day Quilters and Sewers will meet from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Allegheny Township municipal building, 136 Community Building Road. Bring your project. No dues or fees. Free parking, lighting, tables and electrical outlets available. Bring a lunch and drinks. The group meets the first and third Friday of each month. Details: Pat, 724-601-3089.

Apollo

Dec. 26 to Jan. 6: St. James Parish is selling tickets for a 12-day lottery giveaway. Cost: $10, includes two numbers. The winning numbers will be the first officially drawn 7 p.m. Pa. Lottery Pick-3 number from Dec. 26 to Jan. 6. Prizes will include cash and a variety of gift cards to local restaurants and businesses. Tickets: Linda, 724-882-8776, in the parish office or after weekend Masses in the church vestibule.

Arnold

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

Saturday: St. Vladimir Church will host a pop-up pierogi sale from 9 to 10:30 a.m. in the church social hall, 1610 Kenneth Ave. Varieties: sauerkraut and potato & cheese; fresh and frozen. No advance orders will be accepted; sales are first come, first served. Weekly sales will resume in January. Cost: $12 per dozen.

Saturday: The Tomb, 1821 Fifth Ave., will have snacks and fellowship at 7 p.m. Details: 878-847-5646.

Bethel

Dec. 21: The Outdoor Discovery Center at Crooked Creek will present a winter solstice program for children at 6 p.m. at the center, 142 Kerr Road. Children will make a simple lantern that will be taken on a short winter hike and hot cocoa will be served. Cost: $7. Reservations required. Reservations: armstrongodc.org.

Gilpin 

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

Harrison

Today: Friends of Allegheny Valley Community Library will meet at 10 a.m. in the library community room, 1522 Broadview Blvd. New members are welcome and there is no membership fee.

Friday: Tickets are on sale at Community Library of Allegheny Valley for a holiday basket raffle to benefit the library, 1522 Broadview Blvd. Cost: $2 each; or three for $5. The drawing will be Friday. Details: 724-226-3491.

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.

Saturday: Community Library of Allegheny Valley will host an ugly holiday sweater workshop from noon to 2 p.m. at the library, 1522 Broadview Blvd. Ages 12 through adult welcome. Bring a sweater or sweatshirt. Reservations required. Reservations: Alleghenyvalleylibrary.org.

Saturday: Building Block of Natrona will host its free Veggies for All and Cosmetics Closet outreach for residents in need at 1 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 28 Garfield St., Natrona. Free produce and personal care and hygiene products will be distributed, first come, first served, while supplies last. Arrive by 12:30 p.m. to line up; supplies go quickly. No income verification required. Everyone is welcome.

Jefferson

Today: Bingo will be at 6:30 p.m. at the American Legion, 754 N. Pike Road. Doors open at 5 p.m. The kitchen will be open. Proceeds benefit post and auxiliary projects.

Leechburg

Friday: The public is welcome to join the Leechburg Area High School Chorus and members of the congregations of the Leechburg Ministerial as they go caroling from 6 to 8 p.m. Meet at First Lutheran Church, 358 Main St. Refreshments will be served afterward at the church.

Saturday: The Clothing Closet at First Lutheran Church, 358 Main St., will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. All items are 20 cents each. Please bring a bag. Donations welcome.

Saturday: A Christmas bake sale will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Holy Innocents Church, 366 Third St. Pre-ordered trays can be picked up and soup, hot dogs, haluski and baked goods will be sold. Dine in or takeout.

Lower Burrell 

Today: Redemption Church, 232 Hillcrest Drive, will offer a GriefShare support group for anyone who has lost a loved one at 6:30 p.m. This is the last session of the series. Reservations appreciated, but not required. Reservations: GriefShare.org.

Friday: The Mobile Veterans Program will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Veterans of Foreign Wars, 1601 Wildlife Lodge Road. There will be a meet-and-greet, brain fitness, entertainment and and lunch. Sponsored by the Department of Veterans Affairs, all veterans are welcome.

Saturday: Grace Community Presbyterian Church, 2751 Grant St., will host a free community party for children from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the church. There will be cookie decorating, a visit with Santa, a story time, arts and crafts. Cookies and a beverage will be served. Details: 724-339-9661.

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

Saturday: A luncheon bingo will be at 1 p.m. at the Moose, 499 Reimer St. Doors open at 11 a.m. Admission includes lunch at 12:30 p.m., 15 games that win $20 each; four specials that win $30 each; and a $100 must-go jackpot. Details: 724-335-4131.

Saturday: Peoples Library will have a holiday party for all ages at 12:30 p.m. at the library, 3052 Wachter Ave. There will be stories and activities. Details: 724-339-1021.

New Kensington

Saturday: Peoples Library will have a holiday party for all ages at 11 a.m. at the library, 880 Barnes St. There will be stories and activities. Details: 724-339-1021.

Saturday: March for Jesus will honor teachers, police officers, district heads and city council members from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. in the auditorium of Valley High School, 703 Stevenson Blvd. There will be activities and giveaways. Details: Hank Commodore, 724-217-3866.

Parks Township 

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

Plum

Saturday: An open pickleball day will be from noon to 8 p.m. at the Plum Municipal Complex Gymnasium, 2000 Old Mine Road. Plum residents only. Slots are available every hour for groups of four – two teams of two players. Reservations required. Reservations: form.jotform.com/232744403825152. Questions: mcostanza@plumboro.com.

Springdale 

Today: The diaper pantry at St. Mark Lutheran Church will distribute free diapers from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the church, 600 Pittsburgh St. Recipients must register in advance. First-time recipients must provide their own ID, the child’s birth certificate and a current WIC or SNAP card. Distributions will be the second and fourth Thursdays of each month. Registration: 724-274-5313.

Today: Lower Valley Community Food Bank will distribute food from 1 to 3 p.m. at the rear entrance of the Springdale borough building, 325 School St. 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.

Saturday: The Knotty Knitters group at Springdale Free Public Library will meet at noon at the library, 331 School St. The group will now meet the first and third Saturdays of the month. Bring your unfinished knitting or crocheting project. All skill levels welcome. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-274-9729.

Tarentum

Today: The Deer Lakes High School Strings, under the direction of Leeann Scholl, will perform a free concert at 7 p.m. at the Alle-Kiski Valley Heritage Museum, 224 E. Seventh Ave.

Saturday: The Clothing Closet at Central Presbyterian Church, 305 Allegheny St., will be open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The monthly dollar breakfast will be from 8 a.m. to noon. Details: 724-224-9220.

Weekdays: Free food and hygiene items are available at Highlands Family Center, 415 E. Fourth Ave., suite 12. Hours: noon to 8 p.m. Mondays, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays. Details: 724-224-9006.

Upper Burrell

Friday and Saturday: A free drive-thru live Nativity will be from 7 to 9 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Upper Burrell, 3740 Seventh St. Road. There will be live performances and animals. After driving through, come inside to enjoy cookies, coffee, hot chocolate and crafts.

Vandergrift

Dec. 31: Vandergrift Public Library is conducting a 100,000 penny collection challenge through the end of the year. Bring your pennies to the library, 128C Washington Ave., or TinyCause or Champion’s Crusaiders Rescue. Funds raised will be split between the three organizations.

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.