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Nothing But Net: Annual hoop shoot planned by Leechburg Elks
The annual Leechburg Elks children’s Hoop Shoot competition will be Jan. 24 in the Leechburg Area High School gymnasium, Center Avenue.
Boys and girls age 8 to 13 from the Alle-Kiski Valley and Armstrong County areas are eligible to participate in the free event. Doors open at noon for registration and the free competition will begin at about 12:15 p.m. Children will be registered according to their age as of April 1, 2026.
Winners will qualify to participate in the district competition. For details, contact event chairman Anthony Shea at 724-842-8071 or ashea247@comcast.net.
Free dine-in dinner set at Knead Community Café
Knead Community Café in New Kensington will host its free monthly dine-in Breaking Bread dinner at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at the cafe, 1011 Barnes St.
The meal will be sponsored in memory of Chief Justin McIntire. No takeout meals will be available.
The café is accepting donations of paper towels, Tide or Gain powdered detergent, Dawn dish soap, Fabuloso cleaner, full-sized foil steam pans and postage stamps. For a complete list of wish list items, visit kneadcommunitycafe.org. For details, call the cafe at 878-847-7997.
Calendar
Allegheny Township
Thursday: The Alle-Kiski Chapter of the American Wine Society will meet at 7 p.m. at River Forest Country Club, 130 Club House Drive. Speaker Jill Kummer, a wine educator and consultant with Taste Great Wines in Allison Park, will discuss, “Great Wines for Post-holiday Gatherings.” Wines will be served paired with food. Cost: $47. Paid reservations required by 5 p.m. Sunday. Guests welcome. Visit Alle Kiski AWS on Facebook. Information:allekiski@yahoo.com.
Apollo
Wednesday: 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.
Arnold
Friday: St. Vladimir Church, 1610 Kenneth Ave., is accepting orders for its weekly pierogi sale. Cost: potato or sauerkraut, $14 per dozen. Pickup: 12:30 to 4 p.m. Fridays in the church social hall. Orders: 724-339-9257, 8 to 10 a.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
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.
Thursday: The Allegheny Valley Salvation Army and Community Center in Brackenridge will hand out 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.
Thursday: Bingo will be at 7:15 p.m. at the American Legion, 845 First Ave. Details:724-994-6030.
Freeport
Wednesdays: The Blessing Closet 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.
Thursdays: The Veterans of Foreign Wars will have bingo at 7 p.m. in the post back hall, 102 Fifth St. Bring bingo chips. Kitchen open from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Public welcome.
Jan. 24: A bingo to benefit the Freeport Area High School baseball team will be at 3 p.m. at Laube Hall, 115 Community Park Road. Doors open at 1:30 p.m. Cost: $50. There will be 16 regular games, 5 specials and a $2,500 jackpot game. Food and non-alcoholic beverages will be sold and there will be a basket raffle and 50-50. BYOB and snacks. Tickets: fhsjacketsbaseballboosters@gmail.com.
Gilpin
Thursday: Gilpin Volunteer Fire Department will host bingo at 7 p.m. at the firehall, 113 Firehall Road.
Harrison
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. 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.
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.
Jan. 17: Tri-County Trout Club is accepting table reservations for its annual sport show and flea market planned at Patterson Hall at Guardian Angels Parish, 800 Montana Ave. Vendors must sell new, used or collectable fishing, hunting, camping or sports items. Cost: $25. Details:412-298-0964 or tctcnews@gmail.com, leave a message with your name and phone number.
Jan. 21: The Sip & Stitch group at Community Library of Allegheny Valley will meet from 4 to 6 p.m. at the library, 1522 Broadview Blvd. Enjoy provided refreshments and conversation while you work on your needlecraft projects. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-226-3491 or alleghenyvalleylibrary.org.
Jan. 22: 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 “A Spool of Blue Thread,” by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Anne Tyler. Copies are available at the circulation desk. Reservations required. Reservations:724-226-3491 or alleghenyvalleylibrary.org.
Jefferson Township
Today: Concordia at Cabot will sponsor a free monthly caregiver support group at 2 p.m. 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: Melanie Hartman, 724-352-1571, ext. 8271.
Thursday: 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.
Kiski Township
Today: 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. 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.
Jan. 18: Boiling Springs Presbyterian Church, 1668 Route 56, is accepting orders for a soup sale. Varieties: stuffed pepper, chicken noodle and vegetable beef, $8 per quart. Order deadline: today. Pick up: no later than 1 p.m. Jan. 18. Orders: 724-478-1523.
Leechburg
Thursday: The free genealogy group at Leechburg Area Museum and Historical Society will meet from 10 a.m. to noon at the museum, 118 First St. The group meets on the first and third Thursday of each month. Bring a laptop or tablet. Basic computer skills required. Details: Judy, 724-681-9154.
Feb. 14: A murder mystery dinner will be at 5:30 p.m. in the upstairs hall at the Sokol Club, 55 Siberian Ave. Cost: $45. There will be a cash bar, basket raffle and 50-50. Tickets: stop in at the club. Questions: sokol255@outlook.com. Proceeds will benefit the Sokol 255 Educational Scholarship Fund.
Lower Burrell
Today: A family story time will be at 1 p.m. at Peoples Library, 3052 Wachter St. Details: 724-339-1021.
Today: Redemption Church will host a free GriefShare program, “Your Grief Journey” from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the church, 3400 Garvers Ferry Road. Anyone who is mourning the loss of a loved one is welcome. Meetings will continue on Tuesdays through March 17. Details: Brenda Heinz, 412-398-1622.
Wednesday: Peoples Library will offer Puzzles for Grownups at 1 p.m. at the library, 3052 Wachter Ave. Details:724-339-1021.
Jan. 31: A spaghetti dinner to benefit cancer patient Janet Powell will be at the Kinloch Volunteer Firehall, 915 New York Ave. Donations of gift certificates, gift baskets, pasta sauce, pasta, rolls, butter, salad, desserts, plates, and to-go containers are being accepted. Details: Carrie, 724-826-0168 or Holly, 724-351-2782.
Through Feb. 28: The works of local mixed media artist Lynn Jacques, a member of the Allegheny Valley League of Artists, will be on display during business hours at Peoples Library, 3052 Wachter Ave.
New Kensington
Today: A family story time will be at 11 a.m. at Peoples Library, 880 Barnes St. Details: 724-339-1021.
Wednesday: Peoples Library will offer Puzzles for Grownups at 1 p.m. at the library, 880 Barnes St. Details: 724-339-1021.
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.
Thursday: 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.
Thursday 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. Donations welcome during business hours only. Do not leave donations at the door.
Friday : Animal Protectors will sponsor its No Father’s Day neuter clinic for male cats at the shelter, 730 Church St. Cost: neutering and a rabies vaccine, $40; FVRCP, $10; FIV/FELV testing, $25; and $30 for microchipping. No feral cats will be accepted. Drop-off is from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. Payment is required at drop-off. Reservations required. Reservations:tinyurl.com/3wzsk4uk.
Jan. 24: Animal Protectors of Allegheny Valley is accepting orders for a soup sale. Varieties: chicken noodle and minestrone, from Rebecca Molnor of Knapp Kins Food Truck. Cost: $11 per quart. Order deadline: Jan. 16. Pick-up: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jan. 24 at Animal Protectors, 730 Church St. Orders: animalprotectors.net.
Oakmont
Today: 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.
Parks Township
Thursday: Parks Township Sportsman Club Association will meet at 7:30 p.m. at the club, 1111 Shipman Road. New members welcome.
Plum
Today: The Plum Food Pantry, 81 Sandune Drive, distributes free food from 4:30 to 6 p.m. the first three Tuesdays of each month. Recipients in need must stop in at the pantry to be confirmed/verified. Details:724-327-0367.
Saxonburg
Thursdays: Good Samaritan Hospice, a mission of Concordia Lutheran Ministries, will host a free weekly grief support group from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Jan. 29 to March 26 at South Butler Community Library, 240 W. Main St. Reservations required by Jan. 20. Reservations:724-898-0126, ext. 4426.
Sharpsburg
Sunday : A bingo fundraiser to benefit Addiction Recovery Ministry in Sharpsburg will be at 2 p.m. in the John Paul I Center, 201 Ninth St. Tickets: $25, and include six cards for 10 regular games, five specials and one jackpot. Free drinks and snacks will be served. Reservations: Rosemarie, 412-378-9290 or rhaasarm@gmail.com.
Springdale
Wednesday: Springdale Free Public Library will offer a free crochet class for beginners at 6 p.m. Reservations required. Reservations:724-274-9729
Tarentum
Today: Alcoholics Anonymous will meet from 7 to 8 p.m. at Central Presbyterian Church, 305 Allegheny St.
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/attaboys-kitchen. Orders:724-226-1644 by 8:15 p.m.
Wednesdays and Saturdays: The Alle-Kiski Valley Historical Society, 224 E. Seventh Ave., is open from noon to 3 p.m. and other times by appointment. An evening of scrapbooking will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday. Bring your own supplies or trade with a friend. Details:724-224-7666.
Vandergrift
Mondays through March 19: Vandergrift Public Library will sponsor a chess club for children in kindergarten through eighth grade from 6 to 7 p.m. at 163 Washington Ave. Students are paired with others their age and are guided by a chess master and volunteers. Chess boards are provided. A tournament will be at 9 a.m. Feb. 28. The group will not meet Jan. 19. Reservations required. Reservations: tinyurl.com/yv5ztzrp.
Washington Township
Wednesday: Alcoholics Anonymous will meet at 6 p.m. at Union Presbyterian Church, 656 Route 380.
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 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.