The Stroller, Oct. 3, 2024: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley
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New diaper pantry available at St. Mary Church in Freeport
St. Mary Mother of God Church in Freeport will sponsor a new diaper pantry for those in need from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday on the lower level of the church Family Community Center, 407 Freeport Road. Use the back door entrance.
First-time recipients must provide their ID, the child’s birth certificate and their current WIC or SNAP card. Distributions will be the first Saturday of each month.
Reservations are required. For a reservation, call 724-448-6880.
Local firemen welcome bottled water donations
Local fire departments are always in need of bottled water.
Remember them the next time you go grocery shopping and pick up an extra case of water and deliver it to your local fire station.
Water is needed to keep firemen and emergency responders hydrated while they train and fight fires. Your local fire station will be very grateful!
Intro to the Night Sky to be discussed at Star Parties
The Amateur Astronomers Association of Pittsburgh has planned free star parties at 7 p.m. Saturday and Oct. 12 at the Nicholas E. Wagman Observatory, 225 Kurn Road, in Deer Lakes Regional Park, weather permitting.
An astronomer will conduct an introduction to the night sky describing the moon, planets and constellations that are visible at that time. You can bring your telescope, and AAAP members will be happy to help you with set up and operation.
Bring binoculars, a blanket and camping chair. Use only parking lights when entering through the park gate. Donations will be accepted. For details and weather updates, call 724-224-2510 or visit 3ap.org.
Calendar
Apollo
Today: Apollo Area Historical Society will meet at 6:30 p.m. at the WCTU Building, 317 N. Second St. New members welcome.
Oct. 12: St. James Parish, Apollo, will sponsor a Night at the Races at 7 p.m. at the parish activities center, 109 Owens View Ave. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and light fare will be available at 6 p.m. Cost: $20, includes food and a horse. There will be a basket raffle, instant lottery ticket raffle, pull tabs and a 50-50. Those present will be entered into a drawing to win $500. Tickets: 724-882-8776, at the parish office and at the door.
Arnold
Saturday: Arnold United Methodist Church, 1801 Leishman Ave., will host an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast from 8 a.m. to noon at the church. Menu: choice of plain, blueberry, pecan and chocolate chip pancakes, sausage and drink. Dine in or takeout. Cost: $9; 12 and younger, $7. Details: 724-339-2377.
Bethel Township
Saturday: The Outdoor Discovery Center at Crooked Creek will offer a hands-on class on cell phone photography from 10 a.m. to noon at the center, 142 Kerr Road. All skill levels welcome. Reservations required. Cost: $20, proceeds will be donated to the center. Reservations: armstrongodc.org.
Brackenridge
Today: Bingo will be at 7:15 p.m. at the American Legion, 845 First Ave. Details: 724-994-6030.
Today: 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.
Oct. 12: A bingo to benefit Paws Across Pittsburgh will be from 7 to 10 p.m. at the American Legion, 845 First Ave., second level. A chairlift is available. There will be a basket raffle, food, non-alcoholic drinks, a cash bar, merchandise, 50-50 and puppies! Cost: $30. Tickets: pawsacrosspittsburgh.com/events.
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: Freeport Renaissance Association will meet at 7 p.m. at United Presbyterian Church, 411 High St. New members welcome.
Friday: The Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania will sponsor a free community walk at 9 a.m. at Freeport Community Park. The walk 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 required. Reservations: 724-295-3589 or aswp.org.
Gilpin
Today: Gilpin Volunteer Fire Department will host bingo at 7 p.m. at the firehall, 113 Firehall Road.
Harrison
Today: Friends of Community Library of Allegheny Valley will meet at 10 a.m. at the library, 1522 Broadview Blvd. Details: 724-226-3491.
Saturday: 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. There will be a $5 bag sale for clothing and household goods and a bake sale. Please bring small bills and your own bags. Donations welcome during these hours.
Sunday: Boy Scout Troop 186 will host their annual chicken barbecue from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. or until sold out on the lawn of Guardian Angels Parish at the corner of Broadview Blvd. and Montana Avenue, Natrona Heights. Cost: $15, includes half chicken, plain or barbeque; coleslaw, two rolls and a side of Birdville Birdsauce. Dinners for advance purchased tickets are guaranteed available until 4 p.m. Pint jars of Birdville Birdsauce and homemade baked goods will be available. Cash and credit cards accepted. Tickets: birdvilletroop186bbq@gmail.com.
Oct. 20: Natrona Heights Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary will have a chicken dinner from 1 to 5 p.m. at the post, 894 Veterans Drive. Menu: half chicken, vegetable, mashed potatoes, roll and dessert, $10. Dine in or takeout. Tickets: Linda, 412-980-4075.
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.
Jefferson Township
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
Today: 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. The group will meet on the first and third Thursday of each month. Basic computer skills required. Details: Judy, 724-681-9154.
Dec. 14 and 15: Leechburg Volunteer Fire Company is accepting table reservations for a craft and vendor fair set for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the firehall. Cost: $30 for one day; $50 for both, includes a table and chair. Details: Melissa, 724-332-9090 or allermelissa@comcast.net.
Lower Burrell
Saturday: The Joseph “Bud” Myers Farmers Market will be open from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Bon Air School parking lot, 3260 Leechburg Road.
Oct. 19: Entries are being accepted for a chili cook-off planned at the city’s Fall Festival. Amateur cooks in teams of up to three people are welcome. All ingredients must be cooked on site. Cooking will begin at noon and judging will be at 4 p.m. Chili will be judged on taste, appearance and aroma. First prize: $100. Teams must provide their own cooking equipment, extension cord, tent, tables and bowls for judging. Entry fee: $25. Entry deadline: Saturday. Details and registration: tinyurl.com/ms5mm3bc.
New Kensington
Today: 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.
Today: 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. This week’s meals are sponsored by Wesley Family Services. To sponsor a meal, visit kneadcommunitycafe.org or call 878-847-7997.
Saturday: East Kensington Community Circle will host bingo in the Community Circle building, 1785 Seventh St., across from Martin Elementary School. Doors open at 11:30. Lunch will be served at noon and bingo starts at 1 p.m. There will be a progressive jackpot game, magic number game, a quickie and drawing for $5 off next month’s bingo admission. Cost: $20, includes lunch, eight regular games and eight specials.
Saturday: Knead Community Café, 1011 Barnes St., will host its indoor/outdoor fall harvest craft and vendor fair from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the cafe. Rain or shine. Breakfast will be available from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and there will be a special Chef’s Selection menu.
Nov. 29 to Dec. 1: Memorial Park Dek Hockey will host a Turkey Cup tournament at the dek hockey rinks in Memorial Park. Cost: $300 per team, includes referee fees and event T-shirts. There will be a silent auction, toy drive for Toys for Tots and 50-50. Team reservation deadline: Nov. 1. Details: bit.ly/3ZaLpqA.
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: Splash ‘n Dash K9 Sports, 1900 Sheena Drive, will host a donation drive from 9 a.m. to noon to benefit the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Rain or shine. Items that will be accepted include gently used clothing and shoes, accessories, housewares, dishes, bakeware, books, small appliances, toys, linens and stuffed animals. Mattresses, couches, magazines, textbooks, puzzles and games that have been opened will not be accepted.
Saxonburg
Saturday: Saxonburg Council and Armstrong will host a free Movie Night at 7:30 p.m. in Roebling Park. Bring a blanket or chair. The featured film will be “Monsters, Inc.” Popcorn and refreshments will be provided by Saxonburg Rotary. In case of rain, the event will be at South Butler Community Library
Sharpsburg
Saturday: Addiction Recovery Ministry will offer a free beginners laptop class for people in recovery from 9 to 11:30 a.m. at the John Paul I Center, 201 Ninth St. Learn the basics of Windows 10, email and searching the internet. Reservations required. Reservations: Rosemarie, 412-378-9290.
Springdale
Saturday: A takeout spaghetti dinner will be from 2 to 6 p.m. at St. Mark Lutheran Church, 600 Pittsburgh St. Menu: spaghetti, salad, bread and dessert, $10. Orders: 724-274-5313.
Nov. 15: Springdale Free Public Library is accepting orders for pies and pumpkin rolls from The Pie Shoppe in Laughlintown. Varieties: chocolate meringue, coconut cream meringue, lemon meringue, apple, blackberry, cherry, Dutch apple, harvest, peach, raisin, razzleberry and pumpkin pies, and pumpkin rolls, all $12. All items arrive fresh and can be frozen. Paid order deadline: Nov. 4. Pick-up: Nov. 15. Orders: 724-274-9729.
Tarentum
Saturday: The Clothing Closet at Central Presbyterian Church, 305 Allegheny St., will be open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. An outdoor flea market will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Details: 724-224-9220.
Oct. 26: Tarentum Recreation Board is accepting vendor, craft and food booth applications for the annual Boo Festival. Details: Carrie Fox, 724-448-1470 or carriefox170@gmail.com.
Nov. 19, 20 and 21: SS. Peter & Paul Byzantine Catholic Church, 339 E. 10th Ave., is taking orders for its Thanksgiving nut roll sale. Nut, apricot and poppy seed rolls will be available. Pickup: Nov. 19, 20 and 21. Cost: $15 each. Orders: 724-224-3026, leave a message with your name, phone number, order and pickup date; tarentumbyzcath@gmail.com or tarentumbyzcath.org.
Ongoing: Tarentum Area Lions Club has a variety of styles of brooms for sale. Types available include soft and hard bristle push brooms, $16; kitchen brooms, $13; heavier duty mill brooms, $15; children’s brooms, $8; and whisk brooms, $8. Details: Jody Shumaker, 724-954-2341; Donna Holsing, 724-899-6277 or send a message to Tarentum Area Lions Club on Facebook. Proceeds benefit local and global Lions charities.
Torrance
Today: The Board of Trustees at Torrance State Hospital will have an open meeting at 1:30 p.m. in the CEO conference room, first floor, Greizman Building, Route 1014. Details: 724-459-4411.
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.
Winfield
Today: 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 in sizes preemie through 10/12 will be available, as well as strollers, car seats, toys and more. No reservations required. Details: 724-524-1809 or tinyurl.com/mw9kd9cp.