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.
Art work of NK students to be featured at MLK Jr. event
Westmoreland Museum of American Art, 221 N. Main St., Greensburg, will host a special day of programming and an open house from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday to celebrate the legacy Martin Luther King Jr.
The museum’s Studio Gallery will feature the art works of fifth grade students from Roy A. Hunt Elementary School in New Kensington. There will be a unity candle lighting ceremony, an interactive drum circle with the Ibeji Drum Ensemble, a music tribute by the Rodman Street Missionary Baptist Church, community tables hosted by local organizations, food and more.
For more information and to register, visit thewestmoreland.org/event/martin-luther-king-jr-day-open-house-2.
Evening of chocolate to raise funds for Animal Protectors
Animal Protectors of Allegheny Valley will host “Chocolate Paws,” an evening of chocolate, Feb. 7 at River Forest Country Club, Allegheny Township.
Doors will open at 6 p.m. There will be specialty chocolate drinks, a chocolate fountain, appetizers, music, a basket auction and 50-50 raffle.
Tickets are $40. For tickets, visit tinyurl.com/mv8zy8tf. Ticket deadline is Jan. 29.
Calendar
Butler
Sunday: An antique and classic bicycle swap meet will be from 8 a.m. to noon at the Tesla BioHealing Wellness Hotel and Resort, formerly the Days Inn, 139 Pittsburgh Road. Admission: $5. Details: Jeff Rapp, 724-287-8048 or Howard Gordon, 724-205-8172.
Cheswick
Wednesday and Thursday: A veterans service officer will be available by appointment at the office of Rep. Mandy Steele, 1296 Pittsburgh St. Services available include state benefits, burial and survivor benefits, enrollment in the VA health care system and more. Reservations:724-826-5151.
East Franklin
Monday: Armstrong County Republican Committee will meet at 7 p.m. in the Belmont Complex banquet room, 415 Butler Road. Details: Darlene Smail, 724-902-2244 or dsmail2244@windstream.net or Anthony Shea, ashea247@comcast.net.
East Vandergrift
Feb. 14: Our Lady, Queen of Peace Parish is selling tickets for a Sweetheart raffle. The winning numbers will be the 1:30 and 7 p.m. Pennsylvania Lottery Pick-3 numbers on Valentine’s Day. Each winner will receive $1,000, a $50 gift card to Fine Wine and Spirits and a $50 gift certificate to Sweetlane Chocolate Shop in Vandergrift. Cost: $10, includes two numbers. Tickets: 724-568-3409, in the parish office or after Sunday Mass in the church vestibule.
Freeport
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.
Harrison
Wednesday : 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. 28: 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. Note the new date. Reservations:724-226-3491 or alleghenyvalleylibrary.org.
Kiski Township
Today: A spaghetti dinner will be from 4 to 6 p.m. at New Beginnings United Methodist Church, 1559 Route 56. Menu: spaghetti, salad, dessert and drink. Dine in or takeout. Cost: $12; 10 and younger, $10. Details:724-478-4525.
Leechburg
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.
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 luncheon bingo will be at 1 p.m. at the Moose, 499 Reimer St. Doors open at 11 a.m. Plan to arrive by 12:15 p.m. Admission: $20, includes lunch, 15 games that win $20 each; four specials that win $30 each; and a $100 must-go jackpot. Details:724-335-4131.
Today: The drop-in chess group for adults at Peoples Library will meet at 11 a.m. at the library, 3052 Wachter St. Details:724-339-1021.
Today: The Veterans of Foreign Wars will feature the Near the Edge band from 7 to 10 p.m. at the post. Members and three guests welcome.
Sunday: The American Legion, 1100 Wildlife Lodge Road, will be open for breakfast from 9 a.m. to noon. Menu: pancakes, creamed ground beef on toast, eggs made to order with toast, home fries and sausage or bacon.
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
Sunday: The Holy Name Society of St. Mary of Czestochowa Church will sponsor bingo at 1 p.m. in the church Friendship Hall, 857 Kenneth Ave. There will be cash prizes, extra cards. Lunch and drinks will be available. Players must be at least 18 years old. Cost: $12, includes 24 regular bingo cards.
Monday: Peoples Library will offer Construction Crew, an hour of play with building supplies, at 1 p.m. at the library, 880 Barnes St. Details:724-339-1021.
Oakmont
Jan. 26: The Kids Book Club at Oakmont Carnegie Library will meet at 5 p.m. at the library, 700 Allegheny River Blvd. Children in third through fifth grade or who are independent readers welcome. Reservations required. Reservations:oakmontlibrary.org.
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
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 Tuesday. 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
Jan. 27: The Tuesday Night Book Club at Springdale Free Public Library will meet at 6:30 p.m. at the library, 331 School St. The selection will be “Beautiful Ugly” by Alice Feeney. Copies available at the library. New members welcome. Reservations required. Reservations:724-274-9729.
Tarentum
Today: A fish fry will be from noon to 4 p.m. at Bethel AME Church, 250 W. Seventh Ave. Menu: fish dinner, $15, includes fish, baked beans, corn on the cob, bread and dessert; fish sandwich with one side, $12.
Today: 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.
Monday: Streetlight Ministries, 203 W. Seventh Ave., will have a weekly food pantry from noon to 2 p.m. for anyone in need. There is a sign-up sheet in the vestibule after 8:30 a.m. Mondays and people are admitted through the line in order of signup. A variety of breads, sweet goods, canned items, produce and meats will be available. Walk-ins are welcome but will admitted after those who have registered.
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.
Jan. 24: TinyCause will host a microchip and nail trim clinic for dogs and cats from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Tiny’s Fur Family Shop, 131 Columbia Ave. Cost: microchips with lifetime registration, $25; ear cleaning, $5; nail trims, $10. Appointments required for microchips only. Microchip appointments: message TinyCause on Facebook.
Washington Township
Wednesday: A veterans service officer will be available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the office of state Rep. Jill Cooper, 105 Pfeffer Road, suite 5. 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:724-387-9113.
West Leechburg
Jan. 23: Burrell Youth Wrestling will sponsor a bingo at 6:30 p.m. at West Leechburg Firemen’s Recreation Hall, 1116 Gosser St. Doors open and dinner will be served at 4:30 p.m. Cost: $45, includes regular and special games and buffet dinner. There will be instant tickets and a 50-50. Tickets: tinyurl.com/3xtnp7er. Details: call or text 724-882-9700.