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.Follow the Stroller on X at @VNDStroller.


Festival to celebrate autumn in Lower Burrell

The Lower Burrell Fall Festival will be from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday in Kotecki Memorial Park on Wildlife Lodge Road.

Admission is free. There will be food trucks, vendors, free games, a bounce house, a cornhole tournament, ax throwing, basket raffle, 50-50 and more. A car show will begin at noon. Music will be by the Cool Change Band.

Parking will be at Hillcrest Shopping Center and there will be a free shuttle to the festival. Wheelchair-accessible parking will be available at the festival. The event is sponsored by the city parks and recreation board.


Bingo to benefit Lower Valley Community Food Bank

A Halloween bingo to benefit the Lower Valley Community Food Bank will be at 7 p.m. Oct. 25 at Our Lady of Victory Church, 1319 Low Grade Road, Harwick, Springdale Township.

Doors open at 6 p.m. Admission is $25 and includes six cards for the 10 regular games, snacks, bottled water and pop. Extra cards, food, specials, lottery sure tip tickets and 50-50 tickets will be sold. A prize will be awarded for the best costume.

Tickets are available at lowervalleyfoodbank.org and will be sold at the door. Bring a non-perishable food item and receive an extra bingo card.


Natrona Heights Fall Festival set Saturday

The Natrona Heights Fall festival will be from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at 1633 Union Ave., across from PNC Bank.

There will be a touch-a-truck, crafters, face painting and a pumpkin patch. A stuff-the-truck toy drive to benefit Allegheny Family Network will collect donations of new toys, books, games, puzzles, gift cards and cash.


Remembering Tom Squitieri

A celebration of life for former Valley News Dispatch reporter Tom Squitieri will be at 11 a.m. Saturday in the mausoleum of Greenwood Memorial Park in Lower Burrell.

Squitieri, who died Sept. 1, began his career at the VND and became an award-winning foreign correspondent for top newspapers in the country.

All are welcome to share memories and celebrate his life.


Calendar

Allegheny Township

Oct. 27: Markle Volunteer Fire Department is accepting space reservations for an indoor/outdoor flea market set for 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the firehall, 470 Joyce St. Cost: indoors, $25; outdoors, $15. Details and reservations:724-236-0665.

Apollo

Friday: Grace Assembly of God, 601 First St. Ext., will host a free hot dog roast from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the church. Everyone welcome.

Oct. 26: Apollo Memorial Library will host a live-action Clue game at 2 p.m. at the library, Teams of two to four people welcome. The event is recommended for players who are at least 10 years old. Prizes will be awarded, and reservations are required. No walk-ins can be accepted. Reservations:724-478-4214.

Arnold

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: $14 per dozen. Orders:724-339-9257, 8 to 10 a.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Brackenridge 

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.

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

Nov. 22: The American Legion Entertainment Committee is selling tickets for a $2,500 Christmas cash raffle. Winner will be the 7 p.m. Pa. Pick 3 lottery number. Cost: $10, includes two numbers. Tickets:724-980-1745 or 724-224-8444.

Gilpin 

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

Nov. 4 and 11: Christ the King Parish is accepting orders for nut, apricot, poppy seed and crescent rolls for the Thanksgiving/Christmas season. Long rolls are $14 each with an order deadline of Nov. 4. Pickup: noon to 4 p.m. Nov. 13 or 14. Crescent rolls are $6.50 a dozen with an order deadline of Nov. 11. Pickup: noon to 4 p.m. Nov. 19. Orders:412-549-1583, 724-309-1976 or 724-845-7588.

Harrison 

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.

Sunday : 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.

Oct. 23: The Kitchen Sink Book Club at Community Library of Allegheny Valley will meet at 5:30 p.m. at the library, 1522 Broadview Blvd. The selection will be “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Copies are available at the circulation desk. Reservations required. Reservations:724-226-3491 or alleghenyvalleylibrary.org.

Oct. 26: Community Library of Allegheny Valley will offer a free workshop to make a jug planter of native plants at the library, 1522 Broadview Blvd. Penn State Master Gardener Ena Seltzer will lead the workshop. Sessions will be at 9:30, 10, 10:30 and 11 a.m. Children accompanied by an adult welcome. Reservations required. Reservations: visit the event page at Alleghenyvalleylibrary.org.

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.

Saturday: Cross Roads Community Presbyterian Church will have its free takeout monthly Pot Love Dinner at noon at the church, 271 Main St. Reservations required by noon Friday. Everyone is welcome. Reservations:724-845-1901 or church@crcpc.org.

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: The masquerade ball planned by Leechburg Area Community Association is canceled.

Lower Burrell 

Today: A VFW service representative will be available beginning at noon to assist veterans with VA claims and benefits at the Veterans of Foreign Wars, 1601 Wildlife Lodge Road.

Today: The Chess Club at Peoples Library will meet at 4 p.m. at the library, 3052 Wachter Ave. Players age 8 to 18 of all skill levels welcome. Details:724-339-1021.

Friday and Saturday: Bethel United Methodist Church, 150 Alder St., will have a rummage sale and bake sale from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Saturday at the church.

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

Saturday: Harvest and Sow Winter Seeds with Penn State Master Gardeners at 11 a.m. Peoples Library, 3052 Wachter Ave., Lower Burrell. No reservations required. Details: 724-339-1021.

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

Saturday: Grace Community Presbyterian Church, 2751 Grant St., will sponsor a spaghetti dinner fundraiser and silent auction from 4 to 7 p.m. to benefit Operation Christmas Child. Menu: spaghetti, meatball, salad, bread, dessert and drinks, $15; younger than 12, $10. Dine in or takeout. Tickets purchased in advance receive a $1 discount. Tickets:724-339-9661.

Saturday : Animal Protectors of Allegheny Valley will sponsor a Halloween cash bash at the Veterans of Foreign Wars, 1601 Wildlife Lodge Road. Doors open at 4 p.m. and a buffet dinner will be at 5 p.m. Winners need not be present. Cost: $35 in advance; $40 at the door; includes dinner, beer and snacks. Costumes welcome. Cash bar. Tickets: animalprotectors.net.

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.

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.

Oakmont

Wednesday : The Books and Brews Book Club at Oakmont Carnegie Library will meet at 5 p.m. at Acclamation. The selection will be “All the Colors of the Dark” by Chris Whitaker. Reservations required. Reservations and details:oakmontlibrary.org.

Parks Township

Today: 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.

Saxonburg

Saturday: A spaghetti dinner to benefit transplant patient George Olczak will be from noon to 5 p.m. at the Veterans of Foreign Wars, 572 W. Main St. There will be a silent auction, bake sale and 50-50. Cost: $10. Proceeds will help with medical costs.

Springdale 

Today: Springdale Free Public Library will have craft workshops at 1 and 6 p.m. for adults to make a Mason jar leaf lantern at the library, 331 School St. Choose either session. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-274-9729.

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. The monthly dollar breakfast will be from 8 a.m. to noon. Menu: pancakes, sausage, coffee and juice. Details: 724-224-9220.

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.

Vandergrift

Saturday : An acoustic music concert featuring Vento, Ziggy, Hawk and McCarthy will be at 7 p.m. at The Center on Franklin, 262 Franklin Ave., Vandergrift. Cost: $10 in advance; $15 at the door if available. Beverages will be sold; no outside beverages permitted. Proceeds will benefit Vandergrift Public Library. Tickets: vzhm-music.com.

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.

Saturday: A rummage sale will be from 8 a.m. to noon at Poke Run Presbyterian Church, 1091 Poke Run Church Road. A bag sale will be from 11 a.m. to noon. Breakfast and lunch will be available. Details:724-327-5563.

West Deer 

Saturday : A pulled pork dinner will be from 3 to 6 p.m. at Pleasant Unity Presbyterian Church, 101 Millerstown-Culmerville Road. Cost: $10; younger than 10, free from child’s menu. Dine in or takeout. Tickets:724-544-8052.

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.