The Stroller, July 5, 2022: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley

Publicize your community events, fundraisers and club meetings for free in The Stroller. Send information at least a week in advance to vndnews@triblive.com or The Stroller, 210 Wood St., Tarentum PA 15068. Please include a daytime telephone number.

Miss Freddye to perform in Tarentum’s Riverview Park

The Tarentum Summer Concert series will feature Miss Freddye in concert at 7 p.m. Thursday in the Carl J. Magnetta Jr. Memorial Amphitheater in Riverview Memorial Park.

The Snack Shack opens at 6 p.m. The concerts are sponsored by Tarentum Recreation Board.

Salvation Army free lunch distribution offered Thursday

The Allegheny Valley Salvation Army and Community Center in Brackenridge offers free grab and go lunches from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursdays in parking lot at the center, 917 Brackenridge Ave.

Free grocery items from Walmart and Aldi will be available. Everyone is welcome.

Free StoryWalk offered at Memorial Park

Peoples Library and Allegheny County Library Association Youth Services will sponsor a free StoryWalk through Saturday in Memorial Park, New Kensington.

StoryWalk visitors are invited to read a story as they stroll one page to the next along an outdoor path. The walk will be open during normal park hours. The story will be, “Up in the Garden, Down in the Dirt,” by Kate Messner.

Calendar

Apollo

Wednesday: Apollo Hose Co. No. 2 will host bingo at 7 p.m. at the firehall, 325 N. Fourth St. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Details: 724-478-4831.

July 12: The Teen Book Club at Apollo Memorial Library will meet at 5 p.m. at the library, 219 N. Pennsylvania Ave. Students age 13 to 18 welcome. The selection will be, “The Poet X,” by Elizabeth Acevedo. A copy of the book is free to participants while supplies last. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-478-4214.

Arnold

July 10: Table reservations are being accepted for a flea market planned from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Arnold Volunteer Fire Company No. 2 social hall, 1702 Fifth Ave. Set up will begin at 6 a.m. Cost: $10 for two tables. Details: Jim Duncan, 724-754-7666.

Bethel

July 14: The Outdoor Discovery Center at Crooked Creek and Ford City Library will host a free story night at 7 p.m. at the Crook Creek Park Outflow area. The selection will be, “Steve, Terror of the Seas,” by Megan Brewis and there will be activities. Children 3 and older welcome. Reservations required. Reservations: forms.office.com/r/jMgB6n3N49.

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: Bingo will begin at 7:15 p.m. at the American Legion, 845 First Ave.

Butler County

Thursday: The National Alliance on Mental Illness of Butler County will offer a free online support group at 7 p.m. at Zoom.us for families and friends of those living with a mental illness. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-431-0069 or info@namibutler.org.

Ford City

July 16: Tickets are on sale for the Ford City Community Kennywood picnic at Klingensmith Drug Stores in Ford City, Kittanning and West Kittanning. Cost: $28 for a FunDay Pass. Passes can also be used weekdays through Aug. 19. An extra $10 fee will be charged to use the tickets on weekends through Aug 19. Bus tickets for the day of the picnic are also available for $8. Details: 412-389-8366.

Freeport

Wednesday: The Thrift Store Clothing Ministry at Freeport United Methodist Church, 211 Fourth St., will be open from noon to 3 p.m. Cash only. Donations of summer clothing, shoes, bedding and purses welcome. Donations must be laundered and free from pet hair. Details: 724-295-3095.

Thursday: Freeport Renaissance Association will meet at 7 p.m. at 1833 Coffee and Tea, 300 Fifth St. New members welcome.

Gilpin

Thursday: Gilpin Volunteer Fire Department will host bingo at 7:15 p.m. at the firehall, 113 Firehall Road.

Saturday: Take-out chicken dinners will be sold from 4:30 p.m. until the food runs out at Gilpin Volunteer Fire Department, 113 Firehall Road. Menu: baked chicken, mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans, coleslaw, roll and dessert. $10. Orders: 724-845-7200.

Harmar

Thursday: The free Thursday Music Series at 7 p.m. in the Pittsburgh Shrine Center pavilion will feature the Curtis and the Shakerz and Bill Wharton, “The Sauce Boss.” Gates open at 6 p.m. Rain or shine. Free parking. Food and drinks will be available. No tailgating, outside food or beverages permitted. The weekly event is sponsored by Band Together Pittsburgh, Moondog’s and the Pittsburgh Shrine Center.

Harrison

Today: The free summer children’s playground program sponsored by Natrona Comes Together Association will present a reading program with a craft and games at noon at the Natrona Park pavilion.

Wednesday: Allegheny Valley Association of Churches Food Bank will be open to anyone in need from 1:30 to 5 p.m. at 1913 Freeport Road, Natrona Heights. Pull into the center parking lot and food will be placed into your vehicle. Those who are not yet registered should come from 3 to 5 p.m. Wednesday.

Wednesday: The Agape Thrift Shop at Grace United Methodist Church, 1333 Freeport Road, will be open from 1 to 4 p.m. Masks required. Clean summer clothing in all sizes is needed. Bring donations on Wednesday or leave them on the front porch. Do not place donations in the blue bins behind the church.

July 31: A purse bash to benefit Robin’s Home charity that provides help to low income women veterans and their children will be at Natrona Heights Veterans of Foreign Wars, 894 Veterans Lane. Doors open at 11 a.m., lunch will be served at 12:30 p.m. and bingo begins at 1 p.m. Cost: $35 in advance; $40 at the door; includes lunch. There will be a cash bar, pull tab tickets, a silent auction, pick of the table and raffles. Tickets: 724-904-7649.

Jefferson

Thursday: Bingo will be at 6:30 p.m. at the American Legion, 754 N. Pike Road. Doors open at 5 p.m. Under new management with higher payouts. The kitchen will be open. Proceeds benefit post and auxiliary projects.

Kittanning

Thursday: Armstrong County Republican Committee will meet at 7 p.m. in the county courthouse annex, Commissioner’s second floor board room, 500 Market St. Come and meet the new officers: Darlene Iseman, chairwoman; Darlene Smail, vice chairwoman and state committee woman; Lisa Baker, treasurer; and Anthony Shea, state committeeman. Follow us on Facebook.

Leechburg

Thursday: The free genealogy group at Leechburg Area Museum and Historical Society will meet from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the museum, 118 First St. Basic computer skills and face masks required. Ancestry.com and Newspaper.com are available. Details: Judy, 724-681-9154.

Thursday: A New Path Al-Anon Family Group, a free, confidential program for anyone whose life has been affected by someone else’s drinking, will meet at 7 p.m. in First United Methodist Church, 251 Main St.

July 10: Team registrations are being accepted for the Shawn DesLauriers Bocce Tournament set for noon at the Marconi Club, River Avenue. Team fee: $300. There will be a basket raffle, food and a 50/50. Proceeds will be used to establish a scholarship in DesLauriers’ name. Details: Dan Swartz, danno6699@gmail.com.

July 12: First United Methodist Church, 251 Main St., will host a Vitalant community blood drive from 2 to 7 p.m. in the church fellowship hall. Appointments recommended. Appointments: 412-209-7000 or visit donateblood.centralbloodbank.org and use group code G0110175.

July 13: The book club at Leechburg Public Library will meet at 6 p.m. at the library, 139 Market St. The selection will be, “The Midnight Library,” by Matt Haig. New members welcome. Details: 724-236-0080.

Lower Burrell

July 25 to 29: Bethel United Methodist Church, 150 Alder St., will have vacation Bible school, “Rocky Railway,” from 9:30 a.m. to noon for children age 4 to those who have completed fifth grade. Donations will be accepted. Reservations: bethelumc.us.

Manor

Friday and Saturday: The 26^th annual Fort Armstrong Championship Rodeo will be at 8 p.m. at Crooked Creek Horse Park, 467 Crooked Creek Dam Road. Gates open at 4:30 p.m. Admission: $15; age 4 to 12, $5, younger than 4, free. Details: 724-859-5572 or fortarmstrongrodeo.com.

New Kensington

Today: The Community Clothes Closet, 1129 Kenneth Ave., will be open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday and noon to 2 p.m. Tuesday. Items available include clothing for all members of the family, shoes and linens. First-time customers receive 15 free items. Summer clothing donations accepted during business hours.

Thursday: Knead Community Café in New Kensington will hand out free grab-and-go meals from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the café, 1011 Barnes St. This week’s meals were donated anonymously. Details: 878-847-7997.

Thursday: Sally’s Outdoor Market will be from 2 to 6 p.m. Thursdays, weather permitting, at the Salvation Army, 255 Third St. There will be fresh produce, plants, baked goods, hot foods and more. Vendor spaces available. Details: 724-335-7221, ext. 106 or laruen.suprano@use.salvationarmy.org.

Thursday: The Secular Organization for Sobriety/Save Our Selves (SOS) a support group for people recovering from alcohol and drug abuse, will meet a 7 p.m. at Lost Dreams Awakening Recovery Community Center, 408 Eighth St. Details: 724-556-0737.

Thursday: New Kensington Eagles Auxiliary Bingo will be at 7 p.m. at the aerie, 2134 Freeport Road. Doors open at 5 p.m. The kitchen will be open. Public welcome. Details: 724-448-7403.

July 17: Peoples Library is conducting a basket raffle to benefit the library. Baskets are on display at the New Kensington location, 880 Barnes St., and photographs of the baskets are available at the Lower Burrell library, 3052 Wachter St. The drawing will be July 17. Cost: $5 each. Tickets: at both libraries.

Oakmont

Today: Taking Pounds Off Sensibly (TOPS) meets at 6 p.m. at Oakmont United Methodist Church, 419 Maryland Ave. Monthly dues: $5; first meeting is free. Details: vrevilla@pointpark.edu.

July 31: Reservations are being accepted for the Kerr Museum Victorian Bridal Luncheon set for 12:30 p.m. at Oakmont Country Club. Hats and fascinators welcome. Cost: $75. Reservations required by July 22. Reservations: 412-826-9295.

Sharpsburg

Today: The Allegheny Valley chapter of the Women’s Business Network will meet at 8 a.m. at 817 Main St. Those attending can learn how the group supports the success and growth of women in business. Reservations required. Reservations: Kelly Motter, 717-659-0323.

Springdale

July 11: Springdale Free Public Library will sponsor a program about bees at 6 p.m. at the library, 331 School St. Nancy Thorne from the Beekeepers Association of Western Pennsylvania will be the speaker and will bring an observation hive. 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. An opportunity for silent prayer will be at 6:30 p.m.

Today: A free outdoor storytime for children age 3 to 5 will be at noon near the water play area of Riverview Memorial Park, First Avenue. Bring a blanket or chair. Sponsored by Community Library of Allegheny Valley. Weather permitting.

Wednesday: The Tarentum Farmers Market will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the upper parking lot at First United Presbyterian Church, 913 Lock St.

Wednesday: BridgePointe Church will have its free children’s summer reading program from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the church library, 400 E. Ninth Ave. Lunch and a snack will be served. Details: 724-671-7580.

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/elks-kitchen-1. Orders: 724-226-1644 by 8:15 p.m.

Thursday: The free diaper bank at Highlands Family Center, 415 E. Fourth Ave., will be open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. One distribution per child per month is available. Details: 724-224-9006.

Sept. 8 to 10: Summit Hose Co. is accepting crafter and vendor applications for its Fall Festival. No food vendors, please. Details: Tami Sudy, 878-302-5367 or tamisudy@gmail.com.

Upper Burrell

Aug. 28: Sky View Radio Society is accepting reservations for flea market tailgating spaces at its Swap N’ Shop Hamfest set for 8 a.m. to noon at the society grounds, 2335 Turkey Ridge Road. Cost: $5 per space. Reservations and details: John Italiano, 724-339-3821.

Vandergrift

Today: The YoYos Needles Art group at Vandergrift Public Library will meet from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in the library reading room, 128C. Washington Ave. Please note the new date and time. All skill levels welcome. No reservations required. Details: 724-568-2212.

Thursday: The Farmer’s Market will open for the season in the Columbia Avenue parking lot. Hours are 4 to 6:30 p.m. Thursdays through Oct. 13.

Washington Township

Wednesday: Alcoholics Anonymous will meet at 6 p.m. at Union Presbyterian Church, 656 Route 380.

West Deer

Today: A food truck rally will be from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Nike Site Park, 4834 Gibsonia Road. Sponsored by the township parks and recreation board.