The Stroller, March 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.

St. Joseph HS to honor alumni

St. Joseph High School, Natrona Heights, Harrison, will honor several alumni with the Spirit of St. Joseph Awards May 6 at a dinner and ceremony at Oakmont Country Club.

This year’s honorees are James R. Gilboy Jr., Sister Lisa Paffrath, Heather Durkac Wygonik and John P. “Jay” Auses and Thomas H. Kaniecki, both posthumously.

For tickets and sponsorship information, call Jennifer Kaniecki McNeil at 724-226-8043 or jmacneil@saintjosephhs.com.

Alle-Kiski Area Hope Center accepting clothing donations

The Alle-Kiski Area Hope Center is seeking donations of new socks, slippers, underwear, leggings and T-shirts for older teens and adults.

Donations can be delivered from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays to the administration building, 500 E. Eighth Ave., Tarentum. For questions, call 724-224-1100.

Calendar

Apollo

Wednesday: The new adult Bookbinding Club will meet from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Apollo Memorial Library, 219 N. Pennsylvania Ave. Learn how to craft and stitch altered books, various journals and artist’s books. Details: 724-478-4214.

Wednesday: Apollo Hose Co. No. 2 will host 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.

April 1: Apollo Area Historical Society Museum, 317 N. Second St., is closed for the season and will reopen April 1. Visits now available by appointment. Appointments: 724-478-2849 or 724-212-9255.

Arnold

Tuesday: St. Vladimir Church, 1610 Kenneth Ave., will sponsor a bingo night. Doors open at 6 p.m. There is a $1,000 jackpot game with a $500 consolation prize. Pierogi, snacks, drinks, daubers and extra packages will be sold. Admission: $25.

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

Bethel 

Saturday : The Outdoor Discovery Center at Crooked Creek will offer a program, “Lie in a Vernal Pond,” from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the center, 142 Kerr Road. Naturalist April Claus will discuss breeding pools and the behavior of amphibians. Recommended for those 15 and older. Cost: $25. Reservations required. Reservations: armstrongodc.org.

Brackenridge

Wednesday: 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.

Ford City 

Saturday : The Arrowhead Chapter of Trout Unlimited will have its annual fundraiser banquet at 6 p.m. at the 10 Street Station, 301 10^th St. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. Cost: $35; 12 and younger, $10, includes appetizers, buffet dinner, open bar, coffee, tea and soft drinks. There will be raffle prizes for all members of the family. Tickets: Allegheny Bait and Tackle in Tarentum, or call Chad at 724-422-8471.

Frazer

April 1: The New Kensington Camera Club and Focus on the Arts Gallery will offer a free workshop, “Lightbox Photography,” from 1 to 4 p.m. in suite 208 at Pittsburgh Mills Mall. Use Entry 2 by M@C Discount. Andy Benton will be the instructor. Bring your camera or smartphone. Reservations are encouraged, but not required. Reservations: comment on the event posting at Focus On The Arts Gallery on Facebook.

Freeport

Wednesday: 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. Donations must be laundered and free from smoke and pet hair. Handicap accessible. Details: 724-295-3095.

Harrison 

Wednesday: Faith Lutheran Church, 1500 Broadview Blvd., will host a Becky’s Closet community clothing store from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the church. Clothing available at very low cost. Donations welcome during this time.

Wednesday: 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. Details and alternate times: 724-226-0606, ext. 10.

Wednesday: The Agape Thrift Shop at Grace United Methodist Church, 1333 Freeport Road, will be open from 1 to 4 p.m. Clean spring 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.

Saturday : A purse bash to benefit Life Changing Service Dogs for Veterans will be from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Veterans of Foreign Wars, 894 Veterans Lane. Doors open at 11 a.m. and lunch will be served at noon. Cost: $35, includes lunch. Must be at least 18. There will be a cash bar, silent auction, pick of the table, and a 50-50. Tickets: Deb, 412-298-6175 or Stacy, 412-882-4256.

Kiski Township 

Sunday : A gun bash will begin at noon at Kiski Township Volunteer Firehall, 1037 Route 56. Doors open at 11 a.m. Cost: $25, includes two numbers for the drawing, food and drink. There will small games of chance and a 50-50. Tickets: Christine, 724-541-6345.

Lower Burrell 

Wednesday: There will be free DJ Trivia at 7 p.m. at the Moose, 499 Reimer St. Members and qualified guests welcome.

Sunday : Penn State New Kensington Alumni Society will host a bowl-a-thon at 1 p.m. at Wildlife Lanes, Wildlife Lodge Road. Cost: $25, includes three games and shoe rental. Sponsorship opportunities are available. Proceeds will benefit the society’s scholarship fund. Details: 412-417-4033.

Oklahoma Borough  

Saturday : Miss Thea’s Drag Queen Bingo will be at 7 p.m. at Oklahoma School House Hall, 171 Thorn Ave. Doors open at 5 p.m. Must be 21 to attend. Cost: $30 in advance; $35 at the door; includes food and eight regular games. BYOB There will be small games of chance, a silent auction and 50-50. Proceeds benefit Oklahoma and Vandergrift No. 2 volunteer fire departments. Tickets: Tammy, 724-472-3429 or Heather, 412-972-0690.

New Kensington

Tuesday and Saturday: The Community Clothes Closet, 1129 Kenneth Ave., will be open from noon to 2 p.m. Tuesday and 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. Items available include clothing for all members of the family, shoes and linens. First-time customers receive 15 free items. Spring clothing donations are welcome during business hours.

May 13: Vendor applications are being accepted by Knead Community Café for an outdoor May Market at the café, 1011 Barnes St. Vendors who sell homemade, natural-based or garden-themed products welcome. Rain or shine. Details: Kathy, 878-999-8680 or kneadcommunitycafe.org/mothernaturesmarket.

Oakmont

Tuesdays: Taking Pounds Off Sensibly (TOPS) meets at 6 p.m. at Oakmont United Methodist Church, 419 Maryland Ave. Monthly dues: $5; first meeting is free. Details: vrevilla@pointpark.edu.

Tuesday: The free Third Tuesdays at the Movies program at Oakmont Carnegie Library will present, “Here Today,” at 3 p.m. at the library, 700 Allegheny River Blvd. Details: 412-828-9532.

Tarentum

Wednesday: Alle-Kiski Valley Heritage Museum will sponsor a game night from 6 to 8 p.m. at the museum, 224 E. Seventh Ave. Games will be available or bring your own. Adults must stay with children younger than 18. Snacks and drinks will be sold. Donations will be accepted.

Wednesday: 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.

Vandergrift  

Tuesday: Vandergrift Public Library will have a family game night from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the library, 128C Washington Ave. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-568-2212.

Wednesday: Vandergrift Community Watch will meet at 6 p.m. at the borough building, 109 Grant Ave. Officer Grey will be available to answer questions. Public welcome. Questions: text 724-454-1625.

Wednesday: Vandergrift Public Library will host an Anime Club for children in fifth through 10^th grade from 6 to 7 p.m. at the library, 128C Washington Ave. No reservations required; just drop in.

Wednesday: A representative from the Disabled American Veterans will be available to answer questions about veteran’s issues such as disabilities, pensions and filing claims beginning at noon at the American Legion, 304 Custer Ave.

March 31: Vandergrift Public Library is raffling a quilt made and donated by library patron Jane Strohm to benefit the library. Cost: $1 each; $5 for 10; and $10 for 25 tickets. The drawing will be March 31. Cash, check or PayPal accepted. Details and a photo of the quilt: Vandergriftpubliclibrary.org. Tickets: stop in at the library, 128C Washington Ave.

Washington Township

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