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.
Free fishing event planned for children
Parks Township Sportsmen Club will host its 17th annual free Kids Fishing Day from 10 a.m. to noon May 3 at the club, 1111 Shipman Road, off Hungry Hollow Road in the township, rain or shine.
Children 15 years old and younger who are accompanied by a parent or legal guardian are welcome. There will be prizes and refreshments.
Reservations are required and must be made from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday by calling 724-845-2390.
Leechburg to celebrate completion of Leechburg Towpath trail
A celebration to mark the opening of the Leechburg Towpath will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at Riverfront Gazebo Park, 71 River Ave., behind Cicero’s Restaurant in Leechburg, rain or shine.
There will be speeches by local dignitaries, a wildflower walk and specials at local businesses.
Saturday fundraiser to benefit Highland Hose
Kaley’s Kops and Heroes will sponsor a fundraiser to benefit Highland Hose Company of Tarentum from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Brackenridge American Legion, 845 First Ave.
Food from Tastefully Blessed Smokehouse will be featured and Frank Vieira will provide music. There will be a silent auction, bake sale and 50-50. Donations will be accepted.
Fridays on Fifth series to open the season
The first Fridays on Fifth event of the season in New Kensington will be from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday in downtown, rain or shine.
Sponsored by the city recreation commission, there will be top 40 pop and rock music by the Knockoffs and food trucks. Bring a chair.
Calendar
Apollo
Today: The Yarn Good Time Fiber Arts Group at Apollo Memorial Library will meet from 5 to 6 p.m. at the library, 219 N. Pennsylvania Ave. The Embroidery Club will meet at 6 p.m. All skill levels welcome. Details: 724-478-4214.
Saturday: Apollo Hose Company No. 2 will have bingo at 7 p.m. at the firehall, 325 N. Fourth St. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Cost: $25 per packet. The kitchen will be open with a limited menu. Details: 724-478-4831.
Apollo/East Vandergrift
May 14: St. James and Our Lady, Queen of Peace parishes will sponsor a bus trip to Rivers Casino in Pittsburgh. The bus will leave at 9 a.m. from the St. James parking lot, 109 Owens View Drive. The group will be at the casino for five hours. Must be 21. Cost: $30, includes $20 in free play. State-issued photo ID required to receive free play. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-478-4958.
Arnold
Saturday: A free dinner will be served from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at the Tomb, 1821 Fifth Ave. A gospel music concert will begin at 6:30 p.m.
Bethel Township
Saturday: The Outdoor Discovery Center at Crooked Creek will offer a free workshop, “Restoring Zebra Swallowtail Butterflies to Western Pennsylvania,” at 10 a.m. at the center, 142 Kerr Road. Reservations required. Reservations: armstrongcenter.org/odc-events.
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.
Freeport
Monday : St. Mary, Mother of God Church Christian Mothers will host a card party and game board social from 6 to 9:30 p.m. in the church fellowship hall, 610 High St. Cost: $10, includes salad bar, refreshments and beverages. There will be a 50-50 raffle. Reservations and details: Carol, 724-316-1204.
Gilpin
Today: Gilpin Volunteer Fire Department will host bingo at 7 p.m. at the firehall, 113 Firehall Road.
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.
Friday: Community Library of Allegheny Valley hosts Toddle Time for children 12 months to 3 years old and their caregiver at 10 a.m. at the library, 1522 Broadview Blvd. Bring a small stuffed animal. No reservations required.
Featured Local Businesses
Saturday: Volunteers are welcome at a cleanup day at Burtner House, 1650 Burtner Road. Outside work will begin at 9 a.m. and inside work will start at noon. Tasks will include a thorough cleaning inside the house and outside buildings, raking leaves, painting tepee poles and more. Details: bhrs1821@gmail.com.
Sunday : Allegheny County Park Rangers will host a free guided hike, “Birds and Nests” from noon to 2 p.m. starting at the Harrison Hills Park Yakaon shelter. Hikers will explore the world of birds and the incredible homes they build. Binoculars recommended but not required. Bring water and wear close-toe shoes. Reservations required. Reservations: tinyurl.com/5a6rph6a.
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.
Saturday: The Junior Auxiliary of the American Legion will host a rummage and bake sale from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the post, 74 N. Pike Road. The kitchen will be open.
Leechburg
Saturday: 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.
May 3: A Day at the Races fundraiser to benefit Leechburg Public Library will be in the Mirror Room at the Marconi Club, 135 River Ave. Doors open at 2 p.m. and races will start at 3. Cost: $20, includes horse, food and soft drinks. There will be a cash bar, 50-50, paint sticks and a human horse race. Tickets: stop in at the library, 139 Market St.
Lower Burrell
Friday : A Republican candidate forum will be from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the second floor at the Veterans of Foreign Wars, 1601 Wildlife Lodge Road. Candidates for Lower Burrell Council, Burrell School Board, New Kensington Council, Arnold Council and Upper Burrell Supervisors will be present. Hosted by Westmoreland County Republican Committee District 1. Reservations encouraged. Reservations: wcrcd1@gmail.com.
Friday and Saturday: Bethel United Methodist Church will have a rummage and bake sale from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday and 9 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday at the church, 150 Alder St.
Through Wednesday: Allegheny Valley League of Artists will exhibit “The Art of Photography with Your iPhone,” a collection of iPhone photos from member Peter Cehily at Peoples Library, 3052 Wachter Ave. Hours: 1 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays.
Saturday: The Veterans of Foreign Wars will feature the band Shot O’ Soul from 8 to 11 p.m. at the post. Members and three guests welcome.
May 3: Lynn Jacques and Joyce Clohecy, members of Allegheny Valley League of Artists, will present a seminar in Gelli printing at 10 a.m. in the activities room of Peoples Library, 3052 Wachter Ave. Attendees will participate and must be at least 18. Reservations required by May 1. Reservations: Patti, 724-335-2914.
May 4: A ladies spring cash bash luncheon will be hosted by the Moose at the lodge, 499 Reimer St. Doors open at noon and the first drawing will be at 1 p.m. Winners need not be present. Cost: $25, includes five numbers. The last drawing will be at 4 p.m. Tickets: stop in at the lodge from 1 to 10 p.m.
Lower Burrell/New Kensington
Saturday : Peoples Library is selling tickets for a lottery ticket raffle. The winner will receive $400 worth of Pennsylvania Lottery instant tickets. The drawing will be at the April 26 library luncheon at Knead Community Café. Cost: $5 each or three for $10. Winner need not be present. Tickets: stop in at either library location.
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.
Today: Knead Community Café will hand out free grab-and-go meals from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the cafe, 1011 Barnes St., New Kensington. This week’s meals are sponsored by the Calcagno-Yohe Family. Details: 878-847-7997.
Today and Saturday: The Community Clothes Closet, 1129 Kenneth Ave., will be open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Items available include clothing for all members of the family, shoes, linens, purses and handbags. Household items, dishes, appliances and books will no longer be accepted. Donations welcome during business hours only. Do not leave donations at the door.
Featured Local Businesses
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.
May 17: Vendor applications are being accepted by Knead Community Café, 1011 Barnes St., for an outdoor Mother Nature’s Garden Market at the café, rain or shine. Items must be homemade, natural-based or garden related. Cost: $35, for a 10 x 10-foot space. Details and applications: kneadcommunitycafe.org/mngm-vendor-application.
Oakmont
Today: Oakmont Carnegie Library will host a free lecture about growing tomatoes from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the library Oak Room, 700 Allegheny River Blvd. Details: 412-828-9532.
Parks Township
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.
June 21: Parks Township Sportsman’s Association is accepting space reservations for a craft fair and flea market. Rain or shine. Cost: $15. Reservations required by May 31. Reservations: Tina, 724-448-6182 or Lisa, 724-496-3931; or ptsclub74@gmail.com.
South Buffalo
May 18: A spring super bingo to benefit Dynamic Community Foundation will be at 3 p.m. at South Buffalo Firehall, 100 Fire Hall Road. Doors open at 2 p.m. Cost: $50, in advance; includes 25 games. There will be jackpot games, specials, food, drinks, pull tabs and an ATM on site. BYOB Tickets: Jackie, 744-681-7902, or Jen, 724-295-5500.
Springdale
Saturday: The American Legion will sponsor a night at the races at Springdale Veterans Association Hall, 1151 Pittsburgh St. Doors open at 5 p.m., dinner will be at 6 p.m. and races will be from 7 to 11 p.m. Cost: $20, includes dinner, beer, pop and water. Tickets: Mark, 412-681-2615; Frank, 412-849-0168, or at the door.
Tarentum
Fridays: Free bread and baked goods will be distributed at 10 a.m. while supplies last at Highlands Family Center, 415 E. Fourth Ave., suite 12. Details: 724-224-9006.
Saturday: 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.
Saturday: The Elks, 219 E. Sixth Ave., will feature DJ Ron “Shake” Misejka from 8 to 11 p.m. at the lodge. Public welcome after 7 p.m.
Monday: Central Presbyterian Church, 305 Allegheny St., will host a free women’s book discussion group at 11 a.m. Sessions include a time of discussion and learning, followed by a light lunch and fellowship at noon. The book is “Boundless Compassion: Creating a Way of Life” by Joyce Rupp. All women are welcome and attendance is not required at every meeting. Reservations required by noon Friday. Reservations: 724-224-9220 or centralpresoffice@verizon.net.
Vandergrift
Today: St. Gertrude Church will host a spaghetti dinner from 4 to 6:30 p.m. in the church hall, 303 Franklin Ave. Menu: spaghetti, salad, bread and dessert, $13; 8 and younger, $8; meatball sandwich, $8; jars of sauce, $8. Dine in or takeout.
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. The kitchen will open and card sales start at 6 p.m. Free coffee. Players must be at least 18 or accompanied by an adult.
Saturday: The Casino Theatre in Vandergrift will present Electric Light Orchestra tribute band Into the Blue in concert at 7:30 p.m. at the theater. Cost: $20. Tickets: casinotheater.org or stop in at Pomfret’s Paint and Variety Store, 149 Farragut Ave., Vandergrift.
West Deer
Saturday: Veterans and their families are welcome to attend a veterans resource fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the American Legion, 57 Superior Road. A presentation about benefits will be at 11 a.m. Resources will be available from VA Pittsburgh Healthcare, National Cemetery Association, the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, the Wounded Warrior Program and more. Coffee and doughnuts and a light lunch will be served. Details: 724-265-9959.
Saturday : Join Allegheny County Park Rangers for a day of habitat restoration at Deer Lakes Park. Meet at 9 a.m. at the Veterans I shelter. Volunteers will use hand tools to remove invasive species and may plant native species. Expect to participate in physical activity. No experience is necessary. Tools, gloves and eye protection will be provided. Bring water, and wear long pants and closed-toe shoes. Registration requested. Registration: tinyurl.com/mwcbudwx.
Featured Local Businesses
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.