The Stroller, May 1, 2024: 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.

Environmental career panel planned May 11

The Armstrong Center for Community Learning will sponsor a free environmental and conservation career panel discussion from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. May 11 at the Outdoor Discovery Center, 142 Kerr Road, Bethel Township.

Students in middle and high school and college who would like to work in the environmental or conservation fields are encouraged to attend. Speakers will include a biologist, meteorologist, forester, author, program manager, game warden, water conservation officer and educator.

Lunch will be served and there will be prizes. Reservations are required. For reservations, visit armstrongodc.org.

Free nature walks planned by Audubon Society

The Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania will sponsor free community walks the first Friday of each month May 3 through Nov. 1 at Freeport Community Park.

Walks will begin at 9 a.m. and will last one hour, rain or shine. Meet in the parking lot of Laube Hall. A naturalist will lead the group and will discuss birds, beneficial insects, native plants and wildlife. Binoculars will be available.

Reservations are required. For reservations, call 724-295-3589 or visit aswp.org.

Calendar

Apollo

Today: Apollo Hose Co. No. 2 will have bingo at 7 p.m. at the firehall, 325 N. Fourth St. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. There will be specials and wish jars. Details: 724-478-4831.

Thursday: Apollo Area Historical Society will meet at 6:30 p.m. at the WCTU Building, 317 N. Second St. New members welcome.

Bethel 

May 4: The Outdoor Discovery Center at Crooked Creek will offer a workshop about forest bathing at 10 a.m. at the center, 142 Kerr Road. Reservations required. Reservations: armstrongodc.org.

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: The Allegheny Valley Salvation Army and Community Center will distribute free grab-and-go lunches from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the center parking lot, 917 Brackenridge Ave. Free grocery items from Walmart and Aldi will be available. Everyone is welcome.

Thursday: Bingo will be at 7:15 p.m. at the American Legion, 845 First Ave. Details: 724-994-6030.

East Vandergrift

Friday, Saturday and Sunday: A rummage sale will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday and Saturday and noon to 1 p.m. Sunday in the basement of Our Lady Queen of Peace Church, 420 McKinley Ave. Details: 724-478-4958.

Freeport

Today: The Thrift Store Clothing Ministry at Freeport United Methodist Church, 211 Fourth St., will be open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. All items are free, but donations will be accepted. Items available include clothing of all sizes, bedding and window items. Donations of clothing, shoes and boots welcome; must be laundered and free from smoke and pet hair. Wheelchair accessible. Details: 724-295-3095.

Thursday: Freeport Renaissance Association will meet at 7 p.m. at United Presbyterian Church, 411 High St. New members welcome.

Gilpin

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

Harrison  

Today: The Becky’s Closet community clothing store at Faith Lutheran Church, 1500 Broadview Blvd., will be open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the church. Cost: tops and bottoms for men and women, $50 cents; children’s clothing, 25 cents. Donations welcome during these hours. Everyone welcome.

Today: The Agape Thrift Shop at Grace United Methodist Church, 1333 Freeport Road, will be open from 1 to 4 p.m. Clean clothing in all sizes is needed. No housewares or bedding please due to lack of space. Bring donations on Wednesday or leave them on the front porch. Do not place donations in the blue bins behind the church.

Today: Allegheny Valley Association of Churches Food Bank will be open from 1:30 to 5 p.m. at 1913 Freeport Road, Natrona Heights. Food bank participants can receive food allotments twice per month. Those who are not yet registered should come from 3 to 4 p.m. on Wednesday. The Sparrow’s Nest clothing and home goods ministry will be open from 1 to 4:30 p.m. Details and alternate times: 724-226-0606, ext. 10.

Thursday: Friends of Community Library of Allegheny Valley will meet at 10 a.m. in the library, 1522 Broadview Blvd. New members welcome. 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.

Fridays: Community Library of Allegheny Valley will host Toddle Time for children 15 months to 3 years of age and their caregiver from 9:30 to 10 a.m. at the library, 1522 Broadview Blvd. No reservations required. Details: alleghenyvalleylibrary.org.

Hyde Park

Thursdays: Scout Troop 551/6551 is recruiting new members. Boys and girls in grades 6 to 12 welcome. Meetings are Thursday evenings at Hyde Park Volunteer Firehall. Details: call or text William Watt, 412-860-7638.

Jefferson Township

Thursday: 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.

Kiski Township

May 18: Kiski Township Volunteer Fire Department will host a spring bingo at 7 p.m. at the firehall, 1037 Route 56. Proceeds will benefit the Back to School Carnival planned for Aug. 24. Doors open at 6 p.m. Cost: $25, includes six regular games that pay $50; three specials that pay $100; and a $1,000 must-go jackpot. The kitchen will be open. Details and tickets: Barb, 724-953-4006.

May 18: Boy Scout Troop 589 is accepting table reservations for a yard sale set for 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Apollo Spring Church Sportsman Club, 1945 Route 56. Setup will be at 7 a.m. Cost: yard sale spaces, $15; vendor and crafters, $25. Spaces are 8-foot wide and do not include a table. Reservations: send your name, phone number and how many and what type of spaces are requested with a check payable to Troop 589 to Carrie Shank, Troop 589, 1134 Old State Road, Apollo PA 15613. Details: Tracy, 724-420-6758, or Carrie, 724-448-9639 or cjshank@comcast.net.

Leechburg

Thursday: The free genealogy group at Leechburg Area Museum and Historical Society will meet from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the museum, 118 First St. Basic computer skills required. Details: Judy, 724-681-9154.

New Kensington 

Thursday: Knead Community Café will hand out free grab-and-go meals from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the cafe, 1011 Barnes St. Sponsors are needed for the meal program. Sponsorship information: 878-847-7997.

Thursday: New Kensington Eagles Auxiliary Bingo will be at 7 p.m. at the aerie, 2134 Freeport Road. Doors open at 5 p.m. Sales are from 6 to 6:50 p.m. Cost: $25 for a 12-on package; specials will be available. The kitchen will be open. Public welcome. Details: 724-448-7403.

May 8: A spaghetti dinner fundraiser to benefit youth activities at the Salvation Army will be at 5:30 p.m. at the center, 255 Third St. Cost: $9 per plate, includes beverage. Dine-in only. There will be entertainment and a bake sale. Reservations encouraged. Reservations: 724-335-7221.

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.

South Buffalo  

May 4: Freeport International Baseball Invitational will sponsor a cornhole tournament fundraiser at 5 p.m. at South Buffalo Volunteer Firehall, 100 Firehall Road. Doors open at 4 p.m. Entry fee: $50 per team, includes food and beverages. Must be 21. Cash prizes will be awarded for first- and second-place, and there will be a basket raffle and 50-50. Spectator admission: $15, includes food and drinks. Team reservations: rtoy98@yahoo.com. Payments: Venmo, @Freeportinternationals.

Springdale

May 1 to 11: Pucketos Garden Club will sponsor a community seed exchange during library hours at Springdale Free Public Library, 331 School St. Bring a packet of seeds and take one. There will be a variety of herbs, vegetables and flowers. Details: 724-274-9729.

May 11: Springdale Free Public Library will host “Dig Into Gardening” for children in kindergarten through sixth grade from noon to 2 p.m. at the library, 331 School St. Children will make STEM projects and crafts. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-274-9729.

Tarentum

Today: 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.

Today: Alle-Kiski Valley Heritage Museum and History Center will host a free evening of scrapbooking from 6 to 8 p.m. at the museum, 224 E. Seventh Ave. Bring your own supplies or supplies will be sold. Details: Melissa, 412-401-7196 or 724-224-7666.

Vandergrift

Today: The Anime Club for children in fifth through 10^th grade at Vandergrift Public Library will meet from 6 to 7 p.m. at the library, 128C Washington Ave. Details: 724-568-2212.

Washington Township

Today: Alcoholics Anonymous will meet at 6 p.m. at Union Presbyterian Church, 656 Route 380.

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.

Winfield

Thursday: The Matrona Family Resource Center at Cabot Church, 707 Winfield Road, will be open from 6 to 8 p.m. New and gently used clothing is sizes for preemie through size 10/12 available as well as stroller, car seats, toys and more. No reservations required. Details: 724-524-1809 or tinyurl.com/mw9kd9cp.