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.
Musical alumni concert planned Saturday at Highlands HS
Highlands High School will present its 14th annual Musical Alumni Cabaret concert “Dreams” at 7 p.m. Saturday in the high school auditorium in Harrison.
The concert will feature Highlands musical alumni, the high school honors choir, a senior cast recognition and the cast of this year’s musical, “Legally Blonde the Musical.”
Admission is $7 for advance online reserved seating and will be $5 for general admission seats at the door. The lobby will open at 6:30 p.m. Refreshments and desserts will be sold and there will be a basket raffle, meet-and-greet and 50-50. For tickets, visit tinyurl.com/4h42cewb. Proceeds will help to offset costs of this year’s musical.
Free seminar to discuss tax preparation
Communities of Transformation will sponsor a seminar, “Understanding Your Taxes,” at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at Central Presbyterian Church, 305 Allegheny St., Tarentum.
Topics will include what paperwork is needed, free tax preparations resources and how the preparation process works. Dinner will be served and free childcare will be available. Taxes will not be prepared on site; this is an informational program only.
For details, email akvalley@communitiesoftransformation.org.
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 Thursday.
Calendar
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. There will be specials and wish jars. Details:724-478-4831.
Feb. 5: Apollo Memorial Library will host a free Penn State Extension workshop, “Winter Sowing” for adults from 6 to 7 p.m. at the library. 219 N. Pennsylvania Ave. This hands-on class will cover how to start seeds outdoors during the winter using recycled containers as mini-greenhouses. Materials and seeds will be provided. Reservations required. Reservations:724-478-4214 or armstronglibraries.org/apollo.
March 14: St. James Parish, 109 Owens View Ave., is accepting space reservations from flea market, yard sale and craft vendors for a flea market planned from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. the second Saturday of each month in the parish activities center. Details: Linda, 724-882-8776.
Arnold
Today: A free dinner will be served from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at The Tomb, 1821 Fifth Ave. Everyone welcome.
Wednesday: Arnold Garden Club will meet at 6:30 p.m. at 601 Drey St. Gardeners of all skill levels welcome. There will be a demonstration of winter seed sowing.
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 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.
Buffalo Township
Today: The Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank food distribution at Lernerville Speedway is canceled due to the cold temperatures.
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
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.
Saturday : The Veterans of Foreign Wars is accepting table reservations for an indoor flea market at the post, 102 Fifth St. Hours: setup, 8 to 10 a.m.; selling, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; and clean-up, 3 to 4 p.m. Cost: $10, includes a table and chairs. Reservations:724-295-2280.
Gilpin
Thursday: Gilpin Volunteer Fire Department will host bingo at 7 p.m. at the firehall, 113 Firehall Road.
Harrison
Today: Community Library of Allegheny Valley will have a story time from 10 to 11 a.m. for children age 3 to 6 at the library, 1522 Broadview Blvd. The program will be about counting. No reservations required. Details:alleghenyvalleylibrary.org.
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.
Wednesday : 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.
Jefferson Township
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.
Thursdays: Good Samaritan Hospice, a mission of Concordia Lutheran Ministries, will offer a free weekly virtual grief support group at 7 a.m. The group provides a safe, welcoming space for adults who have lost a loved one. New participants are welcome to join each week. Reservations required. Reservations and more information: John Porter at 724-898-0126, ext. 4426.
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.
Leechburg
Today: Kiskiminetas Watershed Association will meet at 6 p.m. at the River Bank Center, 152 Market St., second floor. New members welcome.
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: Redemption Church will host a free GriefShare program about self-care and being fearful and overwhelmed 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 the library, 3052 Wachter Ave. Details: 724-339-1021.
Saturday : 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.
Feb. 7: A murder mystery dinner will be at 6 p.m. at the Moose, 499 Reimer St. A prom thriller will be presented by The Theater Factory. Cost: $50, members, $45. Details:nkmoose53@gmail.com.
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
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: Knead Community Café, 1011 Barnes St., will hand out free grab-and-go meals from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the cafe. This week’s meals are sponsored by Vandergrift Presbyterian Church. Details: 878-847-7997 or kneadcommunitycafe.org.
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.
Feb. 13: St. George Orthodox Church is accepting orders for a grape leaves sale. Cost: six for $7; or 12 for $14. Pickup: noon to 1:30 p.m. Feb. 13 in the church hall, 1150 Leishman Ave. Order deadline: Feb. 8. Quantities are limited. Orders:724-335-9988.
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.
Sharpsburg
Feb. 8: Addiction Recovery Ministry will host a family-friendly Super Bowl party at 5:30 p.m. at the John Paul I Center, 201 Ninth St. Soft drinks and snacks will be provided; bring an appetizer to share. Reservations required by Feb. 1. Reservations: Rosemarie, 412-378-9290.
Springdale
Monday : Springdale Free Public Library will sponsor a Mad Science of Pittsburgh program, “Radical Robots” for children in second through sixth grade at 6 p.m. at the library, 331 School St. Reservations required. Reservations:724-274-9729.
Feb. 7: A bingo to benefit Frazer Volunteer Fire Department No. 2 will be at 1 p.m. at the Springdale Veterans Association, 1151 Pittsburgh St. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. Cost: $40 in advance; at the door, $45; includes a package of 12 cards for 18 regular games, 12 cards for four specials and 2 jackpot games. Daubers must be used for all games. There will be over $4,000 in prizes. Cash will be accepted for food purchases. No BYOB. Tickets: Jennifer, 724-980-4544 or send a message to Frazer VFD No. 2 on Facebook.
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. Details:724-224-7666.
Vandergrift
March 6: Vandergrift Artfest is taking reservations for an overnight trip to New York City to see “Stranger Things” on Broadway. Costs range from $495 for one person in a single room to $280 per person in a quad room at the Best Western Premiere Empire State. Modest proceeds will help to underwrite some costs of the Artfest. Details and reservations:tinyurl.com/mr29hmc4.
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. Reservations required. Reservations: tinyurl.com/yv5ztzrp.
Washington Township
Wednesday: Alcoholics Anonymous will meet at 6 p.m. at Union Presbyterian Church, 656 Route 380.
West Deer
Thursday: There will be bingo from 7 to 9 p.m. at the American Legion, 57 Superior Road. There will be 10 games. Cost: $1 per card for regular games; specials, $2; and $5 for cover-all. Public welcome.
West Leechburg
Feb. 7: A Mardi Gras bingo to benefit the Kiski Area Cavaliers Softball Team will be at 4 p.m. at West Leechburg Fireman’s Recreation Hall, 1116 Gosser St. Doors open at 2:30 p.m. Cost: $30, includes 20 games and three numbers for the cash drawings. BYOB Must be 21. There will be a basket auction. Daubers, extra packets, food and beverages will be sold. Tickets:724-757-9484 or kiskiareasoftballboosters@gmail.com.
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.