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.
Pet food, supplies needed at Animal Protectors
Animal Protectors of Allegheny Valley is accepting donations of pet food and supplies for its community pantry in New Kensington.
Donations can be dropped off from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. any day at the rear entrance of the shelter, 730 Church St. By providing dog and cat food to families in need in our community, the shelter helps to keep pets out of the shelter. To view online wish lists, visit Chewy at tinyurl.com/54s6mynf or Amazon at tinyurl.com/33mj24wk.
Help needed at Vandergrift Meals On Wheels
Vandergrift Meals On Wheels is looking for regular and substitute volunteers to help with driving and delivering to clients.
To offer your time and for more information, call 724-567-7893.
Westmoreland Garden Council offers annual scholarship
Westmoreland Garden Council is accepting applications for the 2025 Katherine Mabis McKenna Scholarship.
Applicants must live in Westmoreland County or its bordering counties and have completed one year at an accredited college or university pursuing a two-or four-year degree in botany, horticulture, forestry, landscape architecture or a related field by May 31.
For an application and more information, call 724-837-0245 or visit Westmorelandgardencouncil.org. The application deadline is May 31.
Calendar
Apollo
Thursday: Apollo Memorial Library, 219 N. Pennsylvania Ave., is accepting donations for its book sale through Thursday. Items that will be accepted include gently used books and DVDs. No VHS tapes, magazines cassette tapes, encyclopedias, CDs or books that are damaged, dusty, moldy or have a musty or smoky smell, please. Bring donations inside the library.
Avonmore
April 12: The Center for Active Adults, 458 Railroad Ave., is accepting reservations for an indoor/outdoor spring craft show set for 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the center. Rain or shine. Cost: $10 per space. Details:724-697-4014.
Bethel Township
April 8: The Armstrong Nature Book Club will meet at 7 p.m. at the Outdoor Discovery Center at Crooked Creek, 142 Kerr Road. The selection will be “A Sand County Almanac” by Aldo Leopold. Reservations required. Reservations and details:armstrongcenter.org/odc-events.
Brackenridge
Sunday: Sons of the American Legion will serve an all-you-can-eat community breakfast from 9 a.m. to noon in the American Legion, 845 E. First Ave. Cost: $10; younger than 10, $6.
April 6: A free spring garden workshop will be offered at noon in the pavilion of Brackenridge Memorial Park, First Avenue. Children welcome. Start your tomatoes, peppers and herbs or make a native flower planter from a milk jug. All supplies provided. Sponsored by Brackenridge Improvement Group and Community Library of Allegheny Valley. Reservations required. Reservations: tinyurl.com/nj8kzn2k.
Buffalo Township
Sunday: A spaghetti and ravioli dinner will be from 2 to 6 p.m. or until sold out at the White Star Club, 401 Shuster Drive. Dine-in or takeout. Menu: spaghetti, $12; ravioli, $16, both include salad; homemade meatballs, $3. Cash only. Takeout orders: 724-295-2656.
April 13: A Sarris candy sale to benefit Buffalo Elementary PTA is being conducted online at sarriscandiesfundraising.com. Candy is available for Easter. Use group number 10-1588.
Freeport
Today: Freeport Kiwanis Club will host a turkey and biscuit dinner from 4 to 7 p.m. at Freeport United Methodist Church, 211 Fourth St. Dine in or takeout. Cost: $12; younger than 10, $6. Proceeds will support the club scholarship program.
Gilpin
Monday: Christ the King Parish is accepting orders for paska bread for Easter. Cost: round or braided, is available with raisins, $8; or without raisins, $7.50. Order deadline is Monday. Pickup: noon to 4 p.m. April 9. Orders: Toni, 724-309-1976 or Teresia, 724-845-7588.
Harrison
Wednesday: The Sheldon Park Advisory Board and Women’s Bible Study group will host a planning meeting at 4:30 p.m. at the Hayden Center at Sheldon Park, 480 Park Ave., for a June 26 event to support UPMC Children’s Hospital, Pittsburgh. Reservations required by Monday. Reservations: Sydney Hayden, 724-826-1327.
Featured Local Businesses
April 5: Allegheny County Park Rangers will host a free guided hike, “Fools in Nature” from 10 a.m. to noon starting at the Harrison Hills Park Rachel Carson shelter. Hikers will investigate how living things use deception to survive. This hike will be approximately two miles with moderate elevation changes. Bring water and wear close-toe shoes. Reservations required. Reservations:tinyurl.com/5a6rph6a.
April 5: The drama department of St. Joseph High School will sponsor a bingo fundraiser at 6 p.m. at Patterson Hall at Guardian Angels Parish, 800 Montana Ave. Admission: $5, includes two hot dogs, a bag of chips, cookie and bottle of water. There will be 22 games that will be priced per game from 50 cents to $5 per card, additional snacks, drinks, rapid and all-night 50-50 raffles, games of chance and a basket raffle. A preview of this year’s musical will be presented at intermission. Reservations required by Tuesday. Reservations: timandjess6@comcast.net or tinyurl.com/mry4drua.
Jefferson
April 8 and 15: Concordia Haven Retirement Living Apartments will have a seminar, “Rightsizing for Retirement,” and open house at 2 p.m. in the Haven I dining room, 112 Marwood Road. Use entrance 2A. There will be free appetizers, a happy hour and tours of the facility. Reservations are requested by Friday, but walk-ins are welcome. Reservations: Peggy Trettel, 724-352-5378 or ptrettel@concordialm.org.
Kiski Township
Today: A Swiss steak dinner will be served from 4 to 7 p.m. or until sold out at Boiling Springs Presbyterian Church, 1668 Route 56. Dine in or takeout. Menu: Swiss steak, parsley potatoes, green beans, coleslaw, bread, dessert and drink. Cost: $14; 6 and younger, free. Details:724-478-1523.
May 3: Boy Scout Troop 589 is accepting applications for a yard sale planned at Spring Church Sportsman’s Club, 1956 Route 56. Individuals, families and vendors welcome. Cost: yard sale spaces, indoors, $15, outside; $10; vendors and crafters, $25. Spaces are 8-feet wide. Bring your own table and chairs. Reservations: checks made payable to Troop 589 should be sent to Carrie Shank, Troop 589, 1134 Old State Road, Apollo PA 15613. Questions: Tracy Boop, 724-420-6758, or Carrie Shank, 724-448-9639 or cjshank@comcast.net.
Leechburg
Saturdays: The Leechburg Museum is closed for the season. Visits are available by appointment. Details:724-845-8914 and leave a message or email lamahs@windstream.net.
Monday: Leechburg Volunteer Fire Company will host bingo at 7 p.m. at the firehall, 268 Canal St. Doors open at 5 p.m. The kitchen will be open.
April 6: First United Methodist Church will sponsor a spaghetti dinner from 4 to 6 p.m. at the church, 251 Main St. Cost: $12. Reservations appreciated. Reservations:724-845-8761. Proceeds will benefit the church Redbird Mission Journey.
May 4: Basket raffle donations are being accepted for a spaghetti dinner to benefit cancer patient Diana “Blumie” Blumeraitis planned at the fire department social hall. Details: Carissa, 724-889-7679; Rochelle, 724-525-6121 or Lorrie, 724-980-1952.
Lower Burrell
Today : A spaghetti dinner to benefit Animal Protectors of Allegheny Valley will be from noon to 5 p.m. at Bethel United Methodist Church, 150 Alder St. Dine in or takeout. Menu: spaghetti, meatballs, salad, roll and dessert. Cost: $12; age 6 to 10, $6; 5 and younger, free. Tickets:724-339-7338 or tinyurl.com/mrp5m7rn.
Today: The Veterans of Foreign Wars will feature Memory Lane band from 8 to 11 p.m. at the post. Members and three guests welcome.
Sunday: A takeout spaghetti dinner will be from noon to 4 p.m. at the Moose, 499 Reimer St. Menu: spaghetti, salad and roll, $10. Details:724-335-4131.
Lower Burrell/New Kensington
April 5: Peoples Library will kick off National Library Week with a workshop to make a collage with pop artist Michael Albert. Sessions will be at 10:30 a.m. at the Lower Burrell location and at 1:30 p.m. at the New Kensington library. Learn how to turn a cereal box or other printed cardboard package into a work of art. Details:724-339-1021.
New Kensington
Today: A Stop The Violence event will be at 2 p.m. in the parking lot of Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church, 1140 Fourth Ave. there will be speakers and free food, clothing, diapers and hygiene products will be available.
Wednesday: A veterans service officer will be available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the office of state Rep. Jill Cooper, 356 Freeport St., suite 100. Services available will include disability and pension claims, benefit questions, assisting spouses with survivor benefits issues and applications for veterans grants. Appointments will be accepted, but walk-ins are welcome. Appointments:724-472-4102.
Featured Local Businesses
April 19 to Oct. 25: The Downtown New Kensington Farmers Market is accepting vendor applications for this year’s market season that will run from mid-April through mid October on Fifth Avenue. Local vendors who sell fresh local produce, meat, poultry, dairy products, juice, cheese, bread and baked goods welcome. Details: Meredith, 412-719-8845 or downtownnkmarkets@gmail.com.
May 10: Animal Protectors of Allegheny Valley is accepting basket donations and supplies to make baskets for its annual spring luncheon planned at Knead Community Café. Details:jperin@animalprotectors.net.
North Apollo
Sunday: North Apollo Volunteer Fire Department will sponsor an all-you-can-eat breakfast from 7 to 11 a.m. at the firehall, 311 16th St. Menu: scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon, sausage gravy and biscuits, pancakes, French toast, potatoes and fruit. Cost: $12; younger than 10, $6.
Oklahoma Borough
April 26: A drag queen bingo to benefit TinyCause animal shelter will be at 7 p.m. at Oklahoma School House Hall, 171 Thorn St. Doors open at 5 p.m. Cost: $35, will be $40 at the door, includes eight regular games that pay $100 each, food and specials. Must be 21. BYOB. There will be a basket raffle, strip tickets and at 50-50. Tickets are non-refundable. Tickets: tinyurl.com/4wf2ue3b.
Parks Township
Sunday: Parks Township Sportsman’s Club will have a country music jam night from 5 to 8 p.m. at the club, 1111 Shipman Road. Bring your favorite stringed instrument and sing along. Refreshments available. Public welcome. Details: 724-845-2390.
Saxonburg
Today: South Butler Community Library will host a free exhibit of Lego and Ninjango projects by enthusiast Kevin Lesniak from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the library, 240 W. Main St. Areas will be available for the public to build. Refreshments will be sold. Details:724-352-4810.
Monday: Quality Life Services of Sarver will sponsor a free estate planning workshop at 6:30 p.m. at the South Butler Community Library, 240 W. Main St. Reservations preferred, but walk-ins are welcome. Reservations:724-352-4810 or director@southbutlerlibrary.org.
April 5: Saxonburg Volunteer Fire Company will host a designer purse gala from 2 to 5 p.m. at the firehall, 155 Pittsburgh St. Doors open at 1:30 p.m. Cost: in advance, $55; at the door, $60, if available; includes appetizers, soft drink, dessert and four numbers for the drawing. Winner need not be present. There will be side raffles, a basket auction, pull tickets and specialty drinks. Must be at least 16 to attend and at least 21 for a drink bracelet. Tickets:724-352.3300, ext. 755 or winpurses.com.
Sharpsburg
April 6: A spaghetti dinner fundraiser to benefit Addiction Recovery Ministry will be from 2 to 7 p.m. at the John Paul I Center, 201 Ninth St. Menu: spaghetti and meatballs, salad, bread, dessert and drink, $15. There will be a Steeler memorabilia silent auction, basket raffle and 50-50. Tickets: Rosemarie, 412-378-9290 or rhaasarm@gmail.com.
Tarentum
Today: The Clothing Closet at Central Presbyterian Church, 305 Allegheny St., will be open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Details: 724-224-9220.
Today: A spaghetti dinner to benefit the family of Daniel Malone will be from 1 to 6 p.m. at First United Presbyterian Church, 913 Lock St. There will be a silent auction and 50-50 raffle. Admission: $15, includes spaghetti, salad, dessert and a drink and one ticket for the silent auction. Dine in or takeout. A portion of proceeds will be donated to PreventSuicidePa.org. Details: malonefamilyfund.com. Tickets:tinyurl.com/2pj5f36h and will be available at the door until sold out.
Sunday: First Baptist Church of Tarentum will distribute free detergent, bleach and scented beads to anyone in need after the 10:30 a.m. Sunday worship service at the church, 410 E. Third Ave.
April 8, 9 and 10: SS. Peter & Paul Byzantine Catholic Church, 339 E. 10th Ave., is taking orders for its annual Easter nut roll sale. Nut, apricot and poppy seed rolls will be available. Cost per roll: $15. Orders: 724-224-3026 and leave a message, visit tarentumbyzcath.org or email tarentumbyzcath@gmail.com.
April 12: The Masons are selling tickets for a 50-50 raffle to benefit the lodge scholarship program. The winning number will be drawn at 10 a.m. at the April 12 pancake breakfast at the lodge, 307 Lock St., second floor. Cost: $2; six for $10. Tickets: send a check with “raffle” in the memo line made out to Pollock Lodge No. 502, 307 Lock St., Tarentum PA 15084.
Vandergrift
Monday: Tiny Cause Animal Shelter in Vandergrift is collecting gently worn shoes through Monday. No roller skates, Heelys or ice skates, please. Pairs of shoes should be tied together with the laces or rubber bands and placed into a garbage bag. Do not bring shoes in boxes. Contributions can be dropped off at the shelter, 131 Columbia Ave. Details:trapaniam@gmail.com.