The Stroller, Sept. 9, 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.Follow the Stroller on X at @VNDStroller.

Tails on the Trails fundraiser welcomes canine participants

The 15th annual Tails on the Trails dog walk to benefit Animal Protectors of Allegheny Valley will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 28 at Freeport Community Park, 115 Community Park Road, Freeport.

There will be vendors, games, food trucks and raffles. Cost is $25 if paid by Sept. 12 and will be $30 the day of the event.

Reservations are required by Sept. 12. For reservations, visit animalprotectors.net.

Mini golf fundraiser to benefit Vandergrift Public Library

Vandergrift Public Library is accepting reservations for a miniature golf fundraiser planned from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the library, 128C Washington Ave.

Cost is $10 per person. Groups of up to four people will play per time slot. Paid reservations are required, and cash or checks will be accepted. No refunds will be issued. For reservations, stop in at the library.

Calendar

Allegheny Township

Sept. 22: Markle Volunteer Fire Department is accepting space reservations for a flea market set for 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the firehall parking lot, 470 Joyce St. Cost: indoors, $25; outdoors, $15. Details and reservations:724-236-0665.

Sept. 24: The Academy Singers Community Choir is looking for new voices to join their group for the Christmas season. All voice parts welcome. Rehearsals are from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays starting Sept. 24. Cost: $50. Details:724-994-8872.

Apollo

Wednesday: 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.

Oct. 11: Apollo-Ridge Cheerleaders will host a cheer alumni night at 7 p.m. at the homecoming football game at Owens Field. Alumni will cheer during the fourth quarter with the current squad. Cost: $20, cash or check, includes an event T-shirt. Registration deadline: Sept. 30. Registration: tinyurl.com/3dpznwah. Details: apolloridge.cheerleading@gmail.com.

Bethel Township 

Wednesday: The Armstrong County Memorial Hospital Medical Staff Foundation will sponsor an intro to kayaking class at 6 p.m. on Crooked Creek Lake. Cost: $20 per person and space is limited. Participants must be at least 13 years of age with a parent/guardian who is 18 or older as a paid participant on the water as well. Learn the basic equipment paddling techniques and how to steer and board a kayak from experts at Venture Outdoors. 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.

Sept. 21: The auxiliaries of Pioneer Hose and Hilltop Hose companies will host a super bingo at Pioneer Hose Company, 124 Morgan St. Doors open at 11:30 a.m., early birds start at 12:45 p.m. and regular bingo begins at 1 p.m. Cost: $35, in advance, will be $40 at the door; includes a light lunch and bingo packet. There will be 20 regular games, specials and a $1,000 must-go jackpot game. Tickets:724-882-5908.

Fox Chapel 

Sept. 12 to Dec. 12: Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church, 384 Fox Chapel Road, will host a 13-week GriefShare Christian-based support group from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Thursdays Sept. 12 to Dec. 12 at the church. Details: Kim Power, 412-965-8794 or kimfpower@gmail.com. Registration:

griefshare.org/findagroup.

Freeport

Tuesday: Freeport Renaissance Association will host Freeport Days from 5 to 8 p.m. in the downtown section of the borough. There will be live music, food trucks and vendors and businesses will be open. The theme will be first responders.

Wednesdays: 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.

Harrison  

Wednesday: 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: adult tops and bottoms, 50 cents; children’s clothing, 25 cents. Please bring small bills and your own bags. Donations welcome during these hours. Everyone welcome.

Wednesday: 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.

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. 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.

Saturday: A happy hour cash bash will be from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Veterans of Foreign Wars, 894 Veterans Lane. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Cost: $25; includes food and five numbers for the drawing; $10, food only. Karaoke with Bucky will be afterward. Cash bar. Funds raised will be donated to the post building fund. Tickets: Deb, 412-298-6157 or dmckillop@hotmail.com or the post, 724-904-7649.

Sept. 21: The Veterans of Foreign Wars will have an Oktoberfest from 2 to 5 p.m. at the post, 894 Veterans Drive. Doors open at 1 p.m. There will be food, music by the Heritage Band, a 50-50 raffle and cash bar. Cost: $15. Tickets: after 3 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays at the post or at the door.

Jefferson

Tuesday: Concordia at Cabot sponsors a free monthly caregiver support group at 2 p.m. the second Tuesday of each month in the Lund Care Center private dining room, 134 Marwood Road. Use Entrance 4. Anyone who cares for a loved one with a physical problem or diminished reasoning skills at home is welcome. Details: Stefanie Dietrich, 724-352-1571, ext. 8271.

Kiski Township

Tuesday: The diaper pantry at Spring Church Lutheran Church, 3623 Lutheran Church Road, will distribute diapers from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the church. Distributions will be the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month. Recipients must register in advance. First-time recipients must provide their own ID, the child’s birth certificate and a current WIC or SNAP card. Registration:724-478-1528.

Leechburg

Wednesdays and Saturdays: Leechburg Area Museum, 118 First St., will be open from noon to 3 p.m.

Lower Burrell

Tuesday: Burrellton Garden Club will meet at 6:30 p.m. at Grace Community Presbyterian Church, 2751 Grant St. Members will discuss how their plantings went for the season. New members with all skill levels welcome. Details:724-335-3353 or visit BurrelltonGardenClub on Facebook. .

New Kensington

Sept. 25: The Digital Foundry, 855 Fifth Ave., will host a community meeting about employment, training and advanced manufacturing careers at 6 p.m. Reservations required by Sept. 20. Reservations:724-472-1180.

Tuesday: A representative from PA CareerLink will be available from 10 a.m. to noon in the office of state Rep. Jill Cooper, 356 Freeport St., suite 100. Services available will include resume and job search help, assistance navigating the Pa. CareerLink website, registering for workshops and interviewing techniques.

Tuesdays: The Parkinson Foundation of Western Pennsylvania hosts a Parkinson’s wellness class from 1:15 to 2 p.m. at Valley Points Family YMCA, 800 Constitution Blvd. The program is a mix of exercises designed to help someone manage their Parkinson’s Disease more effectively and includes aerobic and resistance training, stretching, balance, facial and voice exercises. Reservations required. Reservations:724-335-9191 or tinyurl.com/5n8jp8y9.

Oakmont

Tuesdays: Taking Pounds Off Sensibly (TOPS) meets at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 1261 Pennsylvania Ave. Private weigh-ins will be from 5:45 to 6:10 p.m. and the meeting will be afterward. The first meeting is free. Details:412-828-3854 or jmjkwj@gmail.com.

Tuesday: Oakmont Carnegie Library hosts an Otaku Club for teens who are interested in Japanese culture and games, anime or manga from 3 to 5 p.m. at the library, 700 Allegheny River Blvd. Details:412-828-9532.

Sept. 19: Oakmont Carnegie Library will offer a Paint Pals craft workshop to make ceramic plant pots for children age 6 to 11 at 3:30 p.m. at the library, 700 Allegheny River Blvd. Reservations required by 3:30 p.m. Sept. 18. Reservations:oakmontlibrary.org.

Plum

Tuesdays: The Plum Food Pantry, 81 Sandune Drive, distributes free food from 5 to 6:30 p.m. the first three Tuesdays of each month. Details:724-327-0367.

Springdale 

Wednesday : Springdale Free Public Library will offer a free program, “Beaver Habitat Exploration” with the Allegheny County Parks Department at 6 p.m. at the library, 331 School St. Children in prekindergarten through sixth grade welcome. Reservations required. Reservations:724-274-9729.

Sept. 18: Springdale Free Public Library will sponsor a craft workshop to make pool noodle pumpkins at 1 and 6 p.m. at the library, 331 School St. Choose either session. Reservations required. Reservations:724-274-9729.

Sept. 19: The Scrapbooking Club at Springdale Free Public Library will meet at 5:30 p.m. at the library, 331 Church St. Details: 724-274-9729.

Tarentum  

Wednesdays and Saturdays: The Alle-Kiski Valley Heritage Museum, 224 E. Seventh Ave., is open from noon to 3 p.m. and other times by appointment. Details:724-224-7666.

Wednesday: The Farmers Market will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the parking lot at 10^th Avenue and Lock Street.

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.

Sept. 26 to 28: Summit Hose Company is accepting vendor applications for its fall festival. No food or alcohol vendors will be accepted. Details: Carrie Fox, 724-448-1470.

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.

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

Tuesday: The YoYos Needle Arts group at Vandergrift Public Library will meet from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the library reading room, 128C Washington Ave. No reservations required; just stop in. All skill levels welcome; however, this is not an instructional program. Details:724-568-2212.

Wednesday: 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.

West Leechburg 

Sept. 14: Lower Burrell American Legion will host its annual gun and purse bash from noon to 5 p.m. at West Leechburg Fireman’s Recreation Hall, Gosser Street. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. Cost: $25. Tickets: Renee Munshower, 724-594-8257, Breandon McIlwain, 717-979-3098 or at the American Legion post.

Sept. 22: “God Discovery: How Science Reveals Evidence for the Existence of God,” will be presented at 4 p.m. at the West Leechburg Firemen’s Recreation Hall, 1116 Gosser St. Scientist and former NASA consultant Kevin Smith will be the speaker and there will be food, music and a basket raffle. Cost: $20. Reservations required by Sept. 12 and confirmations will be sent by text or email. Reservations: call or text 724-433-0794 or email goddiscoverybanquet.com with your name and number of people. Payments of cash or checks made out to the fire department will be accepted at the door. Proceeds will benefit the fire department.

Washington Township

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

West Deer

Wednesday: East Union Presbyterian Church will resume its monthly spaghetti dinners from 4 to 7 p.m. at the church, 292 East Union Road. Dine in or takeout. Menu: spaghetti with choice of meat, marinara, meatball, clam or mushroom sauce, salad, rolls and dessert. Donations will be accepted. Details: 724-265-1381.

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.