The Stroller, Sept. 20, 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.

New Kensington to celebrate Fridays on Fifth

The monthly Fridays on Fifth event will be from 5 to 9 p.m. Fifth along Fifth Avenue in New Kensington.

Shops, restaurants and breweries will be open and there will be music and food trucks. The events are sponsored by the city recreation commission

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.

Today: A card party will be at 6:30 p.m. at St. James Parish activities center, 109 Owens View Ave. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Play the card game of your choice. Food will be sold. Admission: $5. There will be a 50/50 raffle and $1 instant tickets. Details: Linda, 724-882-8776.

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.

Apollo/East Vandergrift

Oct. 2: St. James and Our Lady Queen of Peace parishes will sponsor a bus trip to Rivers Casino, Pittsburgh. Departure: 9 a.m. from the St. James church parking lot. The group will be at the casino for five hours. Cost: $35, includes $10 in free play and gratuity for the bus driver. A state-issued photo ID is required to receive the free play. Must be at least 21. Details and reservations: 724-478-4958.

Arnold

Oct. 14: The Arnold Recreation Committee is accepting vendor applications for a craft show and touch-a-truck event set for 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the 18^th Street ball fields. Details: arnoldrecreationcommittee@gmail.com.

Bethel

Saturday : The Outdoor Discovery Center at Crooked Creek will offer a program about cooking and preserving edible mushrooms at noon at the center, 142 Kerr Road. Participants can choose a culinary mushroom and a variety of spices to blend to take home for their own personal use. Cost: $45. Reservations required. Reservations: armstrongcenter.org/odc-events.

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: Bingo will begin at 7:15 p.m. at the American Legion, 845 First Ave.

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. 3

Gilpin

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

Harrison

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 new 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.

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. Clothing will be available at very low cost. Donations welcome during these hours.

Today: The Agape Thrift Shop at Grace United Methodist Church, 1333 Freeport Road, will be open from 1 to 4 p.m. Clean fall and back-to-school 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.

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.

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

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.

Kittanning

Thursday and Sunday: Armstrong County Historical Museum, 300 N. McKean St., will be open from 1 to 3 p.m. Hours may change for special events. Free parking is available behind the museum via North Grant Avenue. Details: 724-548-5707 or achgs300@gmail.com or visit Armstrong County Historical Museum/Genealogical Society on Facebook.

Leechburg

Thursday: The free genealogy group at Leechburg Area Museum and Historical Society will take a trip to Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall and Museum, 4141 Fifth Ave., in the Oakland section of Pittsburgh. Meet at 10 a.m. on the third floor. Details: Judy, 724-681-9154 or wrighton154@yahoo.com.

Sept. 26: Leechburg Public Library will host a craft workshop to make a sitting scarecrow from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Must be at least 13 to attend. Reservations required by Wednesday. Reservations: 724-236-0080.

Nov. 18: A turkey bingo will be hosted by Leechburg Volunteer Fire Company at 6 p.m. at the firehall. Doors open at 4 p.m. and early bird games will begin at 5:30. Cost: $35 in advance; will be $40 at the door; includes packet for 20 $100 games, four $250 specials and a light meal. There will be a $1,000 must-go jackpot game. Tickets: Melissa, 724-332-9090.

Lower Burrell 

Today: Peoples Library will offer an online talk with Adam Alter., author of “Anatomy of a Breakthrough” at 2 p.m. Registration required. Registration: libraryc.org.peopleslibrary.

Thursday: The local chapter of the American Wine Society will meet at 6:30 p.m. The group meets the third Thursday of each month and provides appreciation of wine through educational meetings. Details: allekiski@yahoo.com or Facebook.com/AlleKiskiAWS.

Thursdays: Redemption Church, 232 Hillcrest Drive, will offer a GriefShare support group for anyone who has lost a loved one at 6:30 p.m. Thursdays through Dec. 14 at the church. Reservations appreciated, but not required. Reservations: GriefShare.org.

Saturday : Grace Community Presbyterian Church, 2751 Grant St., will sponsor a pulled pork sandwich fundraiser dinner from 4 to 7 p.m. to benefit Operation Christmas Child. Menu: pulled pork sandwich, macaroni and cheese, coleslaw, applesauce, pickles and dessert, $15; younger than 12, $10. Dine in or takeout. Tickets purchased in advance will receive a $1 discount. Tickets: 724-339-9661 or secretary@gracecommunitypresbyterian.org.

Sept. 28: The Adult Book Club at Peoples Library will meet at 6:30 p.m. at the library, 3052 Wachter Ave. The selection will be “Snow Flower and the Secret Fan” by Lisa See. Next month’s book will be provided. Details: 724-339-1021.

Oct. 1: The Academy of Martial Arts, 3020 Leechburg Road, will offer a free personal self-defense safety class for all members of the family at 1 p.m. at the academy. Reservations required. Reservations: text 724-713-2339 or acadc21@aol.com.

New Kensington

Thursday: Knead Community Cafe, 1011 Barnes St., New Kensington, will host its monthly dine-in Breaking Bread dinner at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at the cafe. The meal is sponsored in memory of Chief Justin McIntire and in honor of all first responders. No takeout meals will be available. Details: 878-847-7997.

Thursday: Sally’s Outdoor Market will be from 2 to 6 p.m. weather permitting, at the Salvation Army, 255 Third St. There will be fresh produce, plants, baked goods, hot foods and more. Vendor spaces available. Details: 724-335-7221, ext. 106 or lauren.suprano@use.salvationarmy.org.

Thursday: New Kensington Eagles Auxiliary Bingo will be at 7 p.m. at the aerie, 2134 Freeport Road. Doors open at 5 p.m. The kitchen will be open. Public welcome. Details: 724-448-7403.

Sept. 30: St. George Orthodox Church is accepting orders for its Slavic food sale. Menu: grape leaves, green beans and rice, kibbee, babaganoush, spinach pies, meat pies, pita bread, hummus and baklawa. Order deadline: Friday. Pick-up: 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sept. 30 in the church hall, 1150 Leishman Ave. Orders: 724-335-9988 or saintgeorgeorthodox.org.

Parks Township 

Thursday: Parks Township Sportsman Club Association will meet at 7:30 p.m. at the club, 1111 Shipman Road. New members welcome.

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

Today: Concordia at Ridgewood will have a 20^th anniversary celebration from 3 to 6 p.m. at the campus, 1460 Renton Road. There will be food trucks, a car cruise, music from the Highlife Band, free refreshments and tours. Free admission. Details: Ben Skillen, 412-798-1855.

Tarentum 

Today: The borough farmers market will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the parking lot of First United Presbyterian Church, 913 Lock St.

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.

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.

Oct. 28: Space applications are being accepted from crafters and vendors for the annual Boo Fest planned from noon to 4 p.m. in Riverview Memorial Park. Details: call or text Tami, 878-302-5367 or tamisudy@gmail.com.

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.

Thursday: The Gathering on Grant event sponsored by the Vandergrift Business Association will be from 5 to 8 p.m. on Grant Avenue. There will be a western theme, music, vendors, food trucks and entertainment.

Thursday: St. Gertrude Church will host its monthly spaghetti dinner from 4 to 7 p.m. in the church hall, 303 Franklin Ave. Menu: Dine in spaghetti and meatballs, salad, bread, dessert and coffee or tea, $10; meatball hoagies, $7; quarts of sauce also available. Add 50 cents for takeout. BYOB.

Sept. 28: Vandergrift Business Association will offer a free class at 6:30 p.m. at Allusion Brewing, 143 Grant Ave., as part of its summer lecture series. Aubrey McCutcheon will discuss the process and steps to acquire a franchise.

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.

Sept. 30: Community Church of Pine Run is accepting entries for its chili cook-off that will be part of its Fall Scholarship Festival. Details: pinerunemc.org/fallfestival2023.